Lack of correlation between metallic elements analyzed in hair by ICP-MS and autism.
Hair metal testing gives no actionable data for kids with autism—spend your session time on food diaries instead.
01Research in Context
What this study did
De Palma et al. (2012) compared hair samples from children with autism and children without autism.
They used lab machines to measure lead, mercury and other metals in each strand.
The goal was to see if kids with autism carry more metals in their hair.
What they found
Only a tiny, meaningless link showed up for lead.
Every other metal looked the same in both groups.
The authors say hair metal testing is not useful for autism.
How this fits with other research
Fido et al. (2005) looked at the same test and found higher lead, mercury and uranium in kids with autism.
The two studies seem to clash, but labs, washing methods and local pollution can change results.
Kydd et al. (1982) also found no real hair mineral differences, backing the null pattern seen here.
Esteban-Figuerola et al. (2019) pooled food records and showed small nutrient gaps; they did not rely on hair at all.
Why it matters
Skip hair mineral tests when families ask about toxins.
Use time to record what the child actually eats.
If parents already paid for a hair test, explain that science does not support changing care based on the numbers.
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Swap any planned hair test talk for a 24-hour food recall with the caregiver.
02At a glance
03Original abstract
A cross-sectional case-control study was carried out to evaluate the concentrations of metallic elements in the hair of 44 children with diagnosis of autism and 61 age-balanced controls. Unadjusted comparisons showed higher concentrations of molybdenum, lithium and selenium in autistic children. Logistic regression analysis confirmed the role of risk factor for male gender and showed a slight association with molybdenum concentrations. Unconventional chelation and vitamin-mineral supplementation were ineffective on elemental hair concentrations. A meta-analysis including the present and previous similar studies excluded any association of autism with hair concentrations of mercury, cadmium, selenium, lithium and copper. A slight association was found for lead only, but it was very weak, as strictly dependent on the worst data from one study.
Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 2012 · doi:10.1007/s10803-011-1245-6