Skip to main content
Log in

Level of Trace Elements (Copper, Zinc, Magnesium and Selenium) and Toxic Elements (Lead and Mercury) in the Hair and Nail of Children with Autism

  • Published:
Biological Trace Element Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Autism is a multi-factorial pathology observed in children with altered levels of essential and elevated levels of toxic elements. There are also studies reporting a decrease in nutritional trace elements in the hair and nail of autistic children with healthy controls; moreover, bioelements have been shown to play an important role in the central nervous system. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to assess the levels of trace elements like copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), magnesium (Mg), and selenium (Se) and toxic elements like mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb) in the hair and nail samples of autistic children and to evaluate whether the level of these elements could be correlated with the severity of autism. The subjects of the study were 45 autistic children with different grades of severity (low (LFA), medium (MFA), and high (HFA) functioning autism) according to Childhood Autism Rating Scale, n = 15 children in each group and 50 healthy children (age and sex matched). The boys and girls ratio involved in this study was 4:1, and they were 4-12 years of age. The study observed a valid indication of Cu body burden in the autistic children. The children with different grades of autism showed high significance (p < 0.001) in the level of copper in their hair and nail samples when compared to healthy controls. The level of Cu in the autistic children could be correlated with their degree of severity (more the Cu burden severe is autism). The study showed a significant elevation (p < 0.001) in the levels of toxic metals Pb and Hg in both hair and nail samples of autistic children when compared to healthy control group. The elevation was much pronounced in LFA group subjects when compared among autistic groups MFA and HFA. The levels of trace elements Mg and Se were significantly decreased (p < 0.001) in autistic children when compared to control. The trace element Zn showed significant variation in both hair and nails of LFA group children when compared to control group and other study groups. The significant elevation in the concentration of Cu, Pb, and Hg and significant decrease in the concentration of Mg and Se observed in the hair and nail samples of autistic subjects could be well correlated with their degrees of severity.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Baird G, Cass H, Slonims V (2003) Diagnosis of autism—clinical review. BMJ 327(30):488–493

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Ozand PT, Al Odaib A, Merza H, Al Harbi S (2003) Autism: a review. J Pediatr Neurol 1:55–67

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Dawsen G, Webb S, Schellenberg GB et al (2002) Defining the broader phenotypic of autism: genetic, brain and behavioral perspectives. Dev Psychopathol 14:581–611

    Google Scholar 

  4. Adams JB, Romdalvik J, Ramanujam VMS, Legator MS (2007) Mercury, lead, and zinc in baby teeth of children with autism versus controls. J Toxicol Environ Health A 70(12):1046–1051

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Adams J, Holloway C, George F, Quig D (2006) Analyses of toxic metals and essential minerals in the hair of Arizona children with autism and associated conditions, and their mothers. Biol Trace Elem Res 110(3):193–209

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Barlow PJ, Francois PE, Goldberg IJL, Richardson I, Izmeth MGA, Kumpeson K, Sykes P (1986) Trace metal abnormalities in long- stay hyperactive mentally handicapped children and agitated senile dements. J R Soc Med 79:581–583

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Dormandy TL (1986) Trace element analysis of hair. Br Med J 293:975–976

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Chlopicka J, Zachwieja Z, Zagrodzki P, Frydrych J, Slota P, Krosniak M (1998) Lead and cadmium in the hair and blood of children from a highly industrial area in Poland. Biol Trace Elem Res 62(3):229–234

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Kedzierska E (2003) Concentrations of selected bioelements and toxic metals and their influence on health status of children and youth residing in Szczecin. Ann Acad Med Stetin 49:131–143

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Lech T (2001) Lead, copper, zinc, and magnesium content in hair of children and young people with some neurological diseases. Biol Trace Elem Res 85(2):111–126

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Choudhary K, Ehmann WD, Regan K, Markesebery WR (1995) Trace element correlations with age and sex in human finger nails. J Radioanal Chem 195:51–56

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Kazi TG, Jalbani N, Kazi N, Jamali MK, Arain MS, Afridi HI, Kandhro A, Pirzado Z (2008) Evaluation of toxic metals in blood and urine samples of chronic renal failure patients, before and after dialysis. Ren Fail 30(7):737–745

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Ayodele JT, Bayero AS (2009) Lead and zinc concentrations in hair and nail of some kano inhabitants. African J Env Sci Tech 3(3):164–170

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Magyar CI, Pandolfi V (2007) Factor structure evaluation of the childhood autism rating scale. J Autism Dev Disord 37:1787–1794

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Schopler E, Reichler R, Renner BR (1988) The Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), 10th edn. Western Psychological Services, Los Angeles, CA

    Google Scholar 

  16. Rellini E, Tortolani D, trillo S, Carbone S, Montecchi F (2004) Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) and Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC) correspondence and conflicts with DSM- IV criteria in diagnosis of autism. J Autism Dev Disord 34:703–8

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Report on the second research co-ordination meeting of IAEA (1985). Neuherberg, FRG

  18. Chatt A, Katz SA (1988) The biological basis for trace elements in hair, applications in biomedical and environmental sciences. VCH Publishers, New York

    Google Scholar 

  19. Harrison I, Littlejohn D, Fell GS (1995) Determination of selenium in human hair and nail by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. J Anal At Spectrom 10:215–219

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Nath R (2000) Health and disease. Role of micronutrients and trace elements. APH Publishing Corporation, New Delhi

    Google Scholar 

  21. Bornhorst JA, Gwendolyn A, Millin M (2006) Trace and toxic elemental testing in the clinical laboratory. Lab Med 37(11):690–695

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Adams JB, Baral M, Geis E et al (2009) The severity of autism is associated with toxic metal body burden and red blood cell glutathione levels. J Toxicol 2009:1–7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Madsen E, Gitlin JD (2007) Copper and iron disorders of the brain. Annu Rev Neurosci 30:317–337

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Werbach MR (1991) Nutritional influences on mental illness. Third Line Press, Tarzana, CA

    Google Scholar 

  25. Hoffer A (1976) children with learning and behavioral disorders. J Orthomol Psychiatry 5:228–230

    Google Scholar 

  26. Shearer TR, Larson K, Neuschwander J, Gedney B (2005) Minerals in the hair and nutrient intake of autistic children. Behav Sci 23:25–34

    Google Scholar 

  27. Pfeiffer CC, Iliev V (1972) A study of zinc deficiency and copper excess in the schizophrenias. In: Pfeiffer CC (ed) Neurobiology of the trace metals. Academic Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  28. Lesser M, Select Committee on Nutrition and Human Needs (1977) Mental health: it’s not just in our heads. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., U.S

    Google Scholar 

  29. Pfeiffer CC (1978). Zinc and other micro-nutrients. Connecticut, Keats Publishing, Inc., 1978

  30. Elson M. Haas. Staying healthy with nutrition, celestial arts. (http://www.healthy.net/scr/bio.aspx/)

  31. Tuormaa TE (1995) Adverse effects of zinc deficiency: a review from the literature. J Orthomol Med 10(3/4):149–165

    Google Scholar 

  32. Martineau J, Laffont F, Bruneau N, Roux S, Le Lord G (1980) Event related potentials evoked by sensory stimulation in normal, mentally retarded and autistic children. Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol 48:140–153

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Watts DL (1988) The nutritional relationships of magnesium. J Orthomol Med 3:197–201

    Google Scholar 

  34. Werbach M (1992) Nutritional influences on aggressive behavior. J Orthomol Med 7:45–51

    Google Scholar 

  35. Passwater RA, Cranton EM (1983) Trace elements: hair analysis and nutrition. Keats Publ, New Canaan, CT

    Google Scholar 

  36. Marlowe M, Cossairt A, Stellern J, Errera J (1984) Decreased magnesium in the hair of autistic children. J orthomol psychiatry 13(2):117–122

    Google Scholar 

  37. http://www.ewg.org/reports/autism/part1.php

  38. Watts DL (1994) The nutritional relationships of selenium. J Orthomol Med 9:111–117

    Google Scholar 

  39. Chisolm J (1974) Toxicity from heavy metal interactions and behavioral effects. Pediatrics 53:841–843

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Windham B (1999). Annotated bibliography: health effects related to mercury from amalgam fillings and documented clinical results of replacement of amalgam fillings

  41. California Health and Human Services Agency, Dept of Developmental Services, and Autism Research Center (1999) (http://www.autism.com/ari) and National Vaccine Information Center (http://www.909shot.com/)

  42. Autism a unique form of mercury poisoning (http://www.canfoundation.org/newcansite/sciwatch/invert/html/)

  43. Brockel BJ, Cory-Slechta DA (1998) Lead, attention and impulsive behavior. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 60(2):545–552

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Walsh W (2000) Community for autistic people’s enrichment of life. Biochemical malfunctions of autism, Pfeiffer Treatment Center

    Google Scholar 

  45. Mutter J, Naumann J, Schneider R, Walach H, Haley B (2005) Mercury and autism: accelerating evidence. Neuro Endocrinol Lett 26:439–446

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgment

The author MDLP thanks Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi for their financial assistance. Both the authors (MDLP and AG) thank V-Excel Educational Trust (the school for special children), Mandaveli, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India and the parents of autistic children for their cooperation.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Arumugam Geetha.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Lakshmi Priya, M.D., Geetha, A. Level of Trace Elements (Copper, Zinc, Magnesium and Selenium) and Toxic Elements (Lead and Mercury) in the Hair and Nail of Children with Autism. Biol Trace Elem Res 142, 148–158 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-010-8766-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-010-8766-2

Keywords

Navigation