Sulphur Metabolism in Autism

Purpose: Previous studies in autistic children have shown that they have reduced levels of plasma sulphate as compared with age-matched control children and the aim of this study was to see if this reflected increased urinary sulphate loss. Design: Outpatient-based survey of autistic children and matched controls. Materials and methods: The children in the study were elected on the basis of ICD-10 criteria and a diagnosis of autism. Use of a behavioural questionnaire allowed children with autism to be divided into 3 subsets. Urinary excretion of sulphate, sulphite, thiosulphate and thiocyanate was measured in 232 autistic children and compared with values from 68 age-matched controls. Results: Autistic children excreted higher levels of sulphate, sulphite and thiosulphate, but reduced levels of thiocyanate. Conclusions: The significance of these altered parameters is discussed with respect to catecholamine metabolism, mucin formation, gastrointestinal hormone activation and sulphur anion metabolism.