Urinary Epidermal and Insulin-Like Growth Factor Excretion in Autistic Children

Authors:
  • FOF. Oktem
    F. Oktem
  • BBB. Bakkaloglu
    B. Bakkaloglu
  • MHM. Haliloglu
    M. Haliloglu
  • HOH. Oguz
    H. Oguz
  • BPB. Pehlivanturk
    B. Pehlivanturk
  • BGB. Gokler
    B. Gokler
  • COC. Ozbesler
    C. Ozbesler
  • NYN. Yordam
    N. Yordam
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Abstract
Growth factors have been implicated in the pathogenesis of autism. We have investigated daily urinary excretion of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), epidermal growth factor, and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 in autistic children (n=34, age 2-5 years) and age-matched control children (n=29). The mean urinary IGF-1 level was lower in the autism group than the control group (p=0.03). Height was normal. These findings suggest altered IGF-1 metabolism in young autistic children. The cause-effect relationship should be examined by longitudinal studies and insulin-like growth factor provocation tests.