Abstract:Objective To investigate the correlation between serum fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4) levels and the diagnosis and neurodevelopment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children ≤3 years of age.Methods A total of 60 children with ASD aged 1 to 3 years old were recruited from the Department of Pediatrics and Child Psychology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Military Medical University of Chinese PLA Air Force from May 2019 to April 2022, and a total of 68 children with normal development during the same period were included as the control group. The serum FABP4 concentration was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Symptoms of ASD were assessed using the Kaufman Assossment Battery for Children (K-ABC) and the Autism Diagnostic Observation Scale version 2 (ADOS-2). The neurodevelopmental level of children with ASD was evaluated using the Children Neuropsychological and Behavioral Scale-Revision 2016 (CNBS-R2016), and the developmental quotient (DQ) was calculated. The score of DQ<70 was defined as developmental disorder (DD).Results The levels of serum FABP4[14.83 (9.83, 17.93)ng/ml], serum free fatty acid [354.88 (282.86,407.76)μmol/l] and serum adiponectin [17.04 (15.12,21.39) μg/ml] in ASD group were significantly lower than those in control group respectively[17.89 (14.05,21.85) ng/ml, 410.75 (377.51,460.90)μmol/l, 19.45 (18.23,22.20) μg/ml], with statistical significance (P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that serum FABP4 was an independent factor affecting ASD (OR=0.914, 95%CI: 0.857-0.975, P=0.006). By Spearman rank correlation analysis, serum FABP4 was positively correlated with leptin and free fatty acid (P<0.05). Serum FABP4 level in children with ASD was negatively correlated with K-ABC mental processing index, achievement score, ADOS-2 restricted repetitive behavior, social affect, total score and calibrated severity score (P<0.05). Serum FABP4 level was positively correlated with DQ, CNBS-R2016 gross motor, fine motor and language scores in ASD children (P<0.05). Serum FABP4 level was an independent protective factor for neurodevelopmental disorders in children with ASD (OR=0.677, 95%CI: 0.495-0.925, P=0.014).Conclusions In children≤3 years old, serum FABP4 may be a candidate biomarker for ASD diagnosis and prediction of the risk of neurodysplasia.
张静静, 贾媛媛, 胡苗苗, 成胜权. 血清脂肪酸结合蛋白4与3岁及以下儿童自闭症谱系障碍诊断及神经发育的相关性[J]. 武警医学, 2023, 34(9): 757-762.
ZHANG Jingjing, JIA Yuanyuan, HU Miaomiao, CHENG Shengquan. Correlation between serum FABP4 levels and diagnosis and neurodevelopment of autism spectrum disorders in children under 3 years of age. Med. J. Chin. Peop. Armed Poli. Forc., 2023, 34(9): 757-762.
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