November 3, 2011

expert reaction to research into zinc deficiency and autism spectrum disorders as published in the journal Scientific Reports

New research examined zinc deficiency in children as related to autistic spectrum disorders.

Prof Uta Frith, Emeritus Professor of Cognitive Development, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience at UCL, said:

“To draw conclusions from this study we would need to see data about the levels of zinc in children who do not develop autism spectrum disorders at different ages. Without this information we cannot say whether zinc deficiency is associated with development of autism spectrum disorders, let alone whether it is a contributory cause.”

Prof Dorothy Bishop, Professor of Developmental Neuropsychology, University of Oxford, said:

“This study is problematic because the researchers assessed zinc levels only in an autistic group, relying on existing datasets to provide the data on expected normal ranges for zinc in children. To be convincing they should have compared zinc levels in hair of children with autism with levels for a control group matched in age and environmental background, with the measures being made by researchers who were unaware of the child’s group. Furthermore, if zinc deficiency is confirmed in future research, then it remains unclear whether this is a cause of autism, or rather reflective of dietary abnormalities. Many children with autism will eat only a restricted range of foods, and some have a habit of chewing inedible objects.”

‘Infantile zinc deficiency: Association with autism spectrum disorders’ by Hiroshi Yasuda et al, published in Scientific Reports on Thursday 3 November 2011.