Evaluation of the Mean Platelet Volume and Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio, as Inflammatory Markers in Children with Autisim Spectrum Disorders

INTRODUCTION: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects people’s communication skills and world perception. Neuroinflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction have an extensive place in the etiology. Mean platelet volume (MPV) and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio are used as inflammatory markers in many diseases. In this study, we aimed to compare platelet parameters and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (Neu/lymph) of children with ASD and healthy controls.
METHODS: This is a single-center, retrospective, hospital-based, and case–control study. Patients diagnosed with ASD according to DSM5 criteria and healthy controls participated in the study. Hematocrit, platelet count, neutrophil count, MPV, and Neu/lymph data were statistically compared in both groups.
RESULTS: A total of 53 patients (%38 male) with ASD and 53 healthy controls (20% male) were included in the study. The mean age of the ASD patients was 55.3±32.77 months and there was no statistical difference between the ASD group and healthy controls in terms of age and gender healthy controls had higher Neu/lymph ratio and MPV, but when the data were analyzed statistically no statistically significant parameter associated with autism was found.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Platelet parameters and Neu/lymph ratio are not expected to alter in the ASD group.