|
|
Autism is one amongst the neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood. It is caused by diverse group of etiological factors, like genetic, neurological, social and cognitive. A metabolic aspect of the condition reported early is phenylketonuria. Few other metabolic diseases with autistic-like symptoms include mucopolysaccharidoses, Schilder’s Disease and tuberous sclereosis. Besides, many abnormal metabolites or ions have also been reported at unusual levels in a few autistic children. But, carbohydrate metabolism in autism is barely reported. The published data from two case studies have shown the coexistence of autistic symptoms with lactic acidosis. Here we present a child who first reported with complaints of restlessness, hyperactivity, impaired communication and behavior deviations. Psychological evaluation revealed dull normal social adaptive functioning with hyperactivity and autistic features. Metabolic analysis showed elevated serum lactate. Urine metabolic screening presented significant organic aciduria and ketoaciduria, suggestive of ‘lactate acidemia’. Overall, gave an impression of autistic features with lactic acidosis. This coexistence of lactic acidosis and autistic symptoms possibly suggests certain metabolic causation in autism, which warrants further research. |
|