Noninvasive urinary organic acids test to assess biochemical and nutritional individuality in autistic children

Objectives: Quantitative organic acid testing can give information about potential problems, especially with energy production, neurotransmitter metabolism, intestinal dysbiosis and nutritional individuality which is very important in autistic children. The aim of this study was to find out potential differences between the levels of organic acids in the urine of autistic and non-autistic children. Design and methods: The organic acids in the urine were determined by capillary gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). All overnight urine samples were collected from 35 autistic children and 36 neurologically normal children as healthy controls (4-10 years). Results: Significant differences were found between the autistic children and the control group in organic acids: 2-oxoglutaric, isocitric, citric, 4-hydroxybenzoic, 4-hydroxyphenylacetic, hippuric, adipic, suberic (all with p<0.05). Conclusion: Organic acids test can be used to assess an individual need for nutrient and biochemical abnormalities, especially important for autistic children. (C) 2011 The Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.