Study of serum neopterin in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autistic spectrum disorder: Fayoum Governorate, Egypt

Abstract

Background: There is evidence supporting that cellular immunity may play a role in the pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Neopterin, a pteridine mainly synthesized by activated macrophages, is a marker of inflammation, immune system activation that may be involved in the pathophysiology of both disorders. Methods: Fifty drug-naïve patients were diagnosed according to DSM-5 (25 with ASD, 25 with ADHD), in addition to 25 healthy volunteers matched in age and gender with the patients were included. The CARS, Conners’ scales used to assess the severity of the disorders, respectively. Serum neopterin level was measured using ELISA technique for all participants. Results: Statistically nonsignificant difference in mean neopterin level between control and both patients groups with significant negative correlation between neopterin level and younger ages in ASD group were found. Statistically nonsignificant difference also was found between its levels among subtypes of ADHD as well and with the degree of ASD symptoms severity. Conclusions: There was no statistically significant difference between serum neopterin level in ADHD, ASD patients groups and control group reference.