P174 – 2732: Increased serum phthalates (MEHP, DEHP) and bisphenol A concentrations in children with autism: The role of endocrin disruptors in autism aetiopathogenesis.

Objective Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of complex neurodevelopmental disorders where many studies have been conducted and many factors have been implicated in the etiology. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between ASD development and exposure to mono-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (MEHP), di-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (DEHP), and bisphenol A (BPA), one of the endocrine disruptors, among phthalates. Methods The study included 48 children with autism (27 boys, 21 girls) and 24 healthy subjects (14 boys, 10 girls) as controls. Serum MEHP, DEHP, and BPA, levels were measured by using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results Children with autism had significantly increased serum MEHP, DEHP, and BPA concentrations, (0.47±0.14 μg/ml, 2.70±0.90 μg/ml, 1.25±0.30 ng/ml) than healthy control subjects (0.29±0.05 μg/ml, 1.93±0.62 μg/ml, 0.95±0.22 ng/ml) respectively. When serum MEHP, DEHP and BPA levels were compared between groups, endocrine disruptors were found to be significantly higher in autistic group (p=0.000). Conclusion The finding of significantly higher serum MEHP, DEHP and BPA levels in autistic group compared to controls suggests that endocrine disruptors may have role in the pathogenesis of ASDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]