Measuring the Level of Heavy Metals in Hair Samples of Autistic Children in Baghdad

Abstract

Autism is a severe developmental condition characterized by repetitive or stereotypic behavior, neurodevelopmental abnormalities, and communication issues. Genetic and environmental variables, as well as their interactions, have been recognized as contributing factors to autism, even though the pathophysiological reasons for the disorder are still largely unknown and under dispute. Although it is well known that a variety of variables can lead to autism, environmental factors have garnered a lot of attention lately. A significant portion of the global discourse has been on neurotoxins, including lead, mercury, cadmium, and iron. Some contend that these and other hazardous metals play a part in the onset of the illness. The research is being conducted in Baghdad, Iraq. In this study, 66 children with verified DSM-V diagnoses of autism and 39 children from volunteers acted as controls. To examine hair samples, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) is utilized. The findings indicate that lead, cadmium, mercury, and iron levels are not substantial. The mean values of lead   0.005± 0.002 μg/g concentrations were in 0.0014 ±0.0007 μg/g, mercury 0.00039 ±0.00012 μg/g and iron 0.194±0.063 μg/g respectively for children with autism, while for the control the mean values were 0.001 ±0.000 μg/g, 0.0003 ±0.0001 μg/g, 0.00031 ±0.00017 μg/g,0.130 ±0.077 μg/g. The elevated amounts in autistic children as compared to the control group and the international normal value may be attributed to environmental pollution in Iraq.