Plasma Oxytocin Levels in a Sample of Egyptian Autistic Patient: Relation to Autistic Symptomatology

Abstract

There is an agreement amongst all professionals that autism is one of the most puzzling diseases. The increase of ASDs preva¬lence cannot be fully explained by advances in diag¬nostics or sudden genetic shifts. Findings from research in animal models and humans have shown a clear role for the neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) on complex social behaviors. This is also true in the context of ASD. The aim of the present study was to measure the levels of oxytocin hormone in an Egyptian sample of ASD children comparing them with age and sex matched controls, and correlating their levels with the clinical severity of the disease. This study comprised 90 children. They were classified into two groups. Group I (ASD patients): It included 45children diagnosed as having one of the ASD disorders according to the DSM-V (2013) criteria. They were 38males (84.4 %) and 7 females (15.6 %). Their ages ranged from 3.6 to 15 years with mean age 6.6, SD ± 2.6 and group II (Control group) which included 45clinically healthy children of comparable age and sex. They were 38 males (84.4%) and 7 females (15.6%). Their ages ranged from 3 to 10 years with mean age 5.9, SD± 1.8. To all studied cases, full history, clinical examination, psychiatric evaluation and measurement of oxytocin hormone levels were done.