High Blood Monocyte Counts and Neopterin Levels in Children With Autistic Disorder.
Sweeten, Thayne L. Ph.D.; Posey, David J. M.D.; McDougle, Christopher J. M.D.
[Report] American Journal of Psychiatry. 160(9):1691-1693, September 2003.

(Format: HTML, PDF)

Objective: Leukocyte counts and plasma neopterin levels were determined in autistic children and matched healthy comparison subjects.

Method: Blood from 31 autistic children and 28 age- and gender-matched healthy comparison subjects was analyzed for numbers of neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, and total leukocytes and for plasma neopterin levels.

Results: The monocyte count and neopterin level were significantly higher in the autistic children than in the comparison subjects.

Conclusions: These results suggest that the immune system may be activated in some children with autism.

Copyright (C) 2003 American Psychiatric Association.