Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a definition that is given to a wide array of symptoms and behavioral disorders. These disorders can have varying degrees and intensity levels.
ASD has a wide variety of symptoms and can be diagnosed in both school and pre-school children (ASD characteristics can be found in the first two years of baby’s life). Symptoms occur in behavioral and social communication areas (repetition of certain behaviors, excessive irritation for daily routine changes, etc.).
ASD afflicts 1% of the world’s population, unfortunately the great complexity of this pathology makes difficult an early diagnosis.
A research conducted by the University of Texas Southwestern shows that two proteins identified as blood biomarkers, measured together, can aid the diagnosis of autism in 75% of children studied. After the two proteins were measured together, accuracy increased to 82%.
Levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and interleukin-8 were found to be important factors in this research.
Progress in this study would be very important in getting an early diagnosis of ASD and limiting effects with specific interventions.