Getting to the diagnoses of autism is possibly the most heartbreaking process for parents of children in the spectrum.
Now, scientists have taken first steps to develop blood and urine tests that can diagnose autism in children, allowing patients to get appropriate treatment much earlier in their lives.
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are defined as developmental disorders mainly affecting social interaction and they can include a wide spectrum of behavioural problems.
These include speech disturbances, repetitive and/or compulsive behaviour, hyperactivity, anxiety, and difficulty to adapt to new environments, some with or without cognitive impairment.
Since there is a wide range of ASD symptoms, diagnosis can be difficult and uncertain, particularly at the early stages of development.
Our discovery could lead to earlier diagnosis and intervention. We hope the tests will also reveal new causative factors. With further testing we may reveal specific plasma and urinary profiles or “fingerprints” of compounds with damaging modifications. This may help us improve the diagnosis of ASD and point the way to new causes of ASD.Naila Rabbani, University of Warwick, UK
The study, published in the Molecular Autism journal, involved looking at chemical difference in blood and urine of children with Autism and without.
When tested, children with ASD were found to have higher levels of protein damage, specially in their blood plasma.
While these findings are significant, experts warn it will take some time before these tests become a reality.
However the research team also believe that the new tests could reveal yet to be identified causes of ASD.
1 in 250 children in India are likely to have Autism, though numbers may vary since many are not diagnosed at all.
Genetics plays a role in those with Autism in 30-35 percent of cases. The remaining 65-70 per cent of cases are thought to be caused by a combination of environmental factors, multiple mutations and rare genetic variants.
(With inputs from PTI)
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