Elevated levels of growth‐related hormones in autism and autism spectrum disorder
Authors:
- 12 April 2007
- journal article
- Published by Wiley in Clinical Endocrinology
- Vol. 67 (2) , 230-237
Abstract
Summary: Objective Children with autism are known to have larger head circumferences; whether they are above average in height and weight is less clear. Moreover, little is known about growth‐related hormone levels in children with autism. We investigated whether children with autism were taller and heavier, and whether they had higher levels of growth‐related hormones than control children did.Design A case‐control study design was employed.Patients Boys with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or autism (n = 71) and age‐matched control boys (n = 59) were evaluated at Cincinnati Children's Hospital.Measurements Height, weight and head circumference were measured. Blood samples were assayed for IGF‐1 and 2, IGFBP‐3, growth hormone binding protein (GHBP) and for dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and DHEA sulphate (DHEAS).Results Subjects with autism/ASD had significantly (P = 0·03) greater head circumferences (mean z‐score 1·24, SD 1·35) than controls (mean z‐score 0·78, SD 0·93). Subjects with autism also had significantly (P = 0·01) greater weights (mean z‐score 0·91, SD 1·13) than controls (mean z‐score 0·41, SD 1·11). Height did not differ significantly between groups (P = 0·65); subjects with autism/ASD had significantly (P = 0·003) higher body mass indices (BMI) (mean z‐score 0·85, SD 1·19) than controls (mean z‐score 0·24, SD 1·17). Levels of IGF‐1, IGF‐2, IGFBP‐3 and GHBP in the group with autism/ASD were all significantly higher (all P ≤ 0·0001) than in controls.Conclusions Children with autism/ASD had significantly higher levels of many growth‐related hormones: IGF‐1, IGF‐2, IGFBP‐3 and GHBP. These findings could help explain the significantly larger head circumferences and higher weights and BMIs seen in these subjects. Future studies should examine the potential role of growth‐related hormones in the pathophysiology of autism.Keywords
This publication has 27 references indexed in Scilit:
- An association analysis of microsatellite markers across the Prader-Willi/Angelman critical region on chromosome 15 (q11-13) and autism spectrum disorderAmerican Journal of Medical Genetics Part B: Neuropsychiatric Genetics, 2005
- Microdeletions in the human H19 DMR result in loss of IGF2 imprinting and Beckwith-Wiedemann syndromeNature Genetics, 2004
- When Should We Measure Growth Hormone Binding Protein?Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism, 2002
- Low levels of insulin‐like growth factor‐I in cerebrospinal fluid in children with autismDevelopmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 2001
- The 2nd to 4th digit ratio and autismDevelopmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 2001
- Circulating Plasma Leptin and IGF-1 Levels in Girls with Premature Adrenarche: Potential Implications of a Preliminary StudyHormone and Metabolic Research, 2001
- Suppressed spontaneous and stimulated growth hormone secretion in patients with Cushing's disease before and after surgical cureThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 1994
- Height and weight of Tokyo schoolchildren with and without intellectual handicapsAnnals of Human Biology, 1991
- Developmental processes in early adolescenceJournal of Adolescent Health, 1987
- The relation of relative hormonal levels and physical development and social-emotional behavior in young adolescentsJournal of Youth and Adolescence, 1985