[Urine peptide patterns in children with milder types of autism].

BACKGROUND

Autism is a severe developmental disorder. The condition is probably not homogenous. Elevated urine peptides have been found in individuals affected by autism spectrum disorders. This finding may be explained by characteristics of the samples studied. Autistic children without mental retardation (high-functioning autism) or mild mental retardation may represent a more homogenous group among those suffering from autism spectrum disorders. The purpose of this study is to compare urine peptide patterns in this group of patients with healthy controls. This has never been done before.

METHOD: Urine from the first miction was frozen immediately in order to inhibit bacterial growth and enzymatic degeneration. Peptides from the urine samples were later analysed by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC).

RESULTS

No significant differences in urine peptide values were found between the autism spectrum disorders group and the controls. There was an age dependent decrease in peptides, with values decreasing with the age of the child. Three individuals in the autism group (17%) and one in the familiar control group (0.05%) had high levels of urine peptides. No one in the same age non-familiar control group had elevated levels of urine peptides.

INTERPRETATION: This study shows that high-functioning autism cannot be identified by the urine peptide pattern.