Systematic Reviews
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2024. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Clin Pediatr. Jun 9, 2024; 13(2): 92737
Published online Jun 9, 2024. doi: 10.5409/wjcp.v13.i2.92737
Metabolomic changes in children with autism
Mohammed Al-Beltagi, Nermin Kamal Saeed, Adel Salah Bediwy, Reem Elbeltagi
Mohammed Al-Beltagi, Department of Pediatric, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta 31511‎, Alghrabia, Egypt
Mohammed Al-Beltagi, Department of Pediatric, University Medical Center, King Abdulla Medical City, Arabian Gulf University‎, Manama ‎26671‎, Bahrain
Mohammed Al-Beltagi, Department of Pediatric, University Medical Center, Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib ‎Medical Group, Manama, ‎Bahrain‎, Manama ‎26671‎, Bahrain
Nermin Kamal Saeed, Medical Microbiology Section, Department of Pathology, Salmaniya Medical Complex, ‎Ministry of Health, Kingdom of Bahrain, Manama 12, Bahrain
Nermin Kamal Saeed, Medical Microbiology Section, Department of Pathology, Irish Royal College of Surgeon, Bahrain, Busaiteen 15503‎, Muharraq, Bahrain
Adel Salah Bediwy, Department of Pulmonology, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Alghrabia, Egypt
Adel Salah Bediwy, Department of Chest Disease, University Medical Center, King Abdulla Medical City, ‎‎Arabian Gulf University, ‎Manama 26671, Bahrain
Adel Salah Bediwy, Department of Chest Disease, University Medical Center, Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Group, Manama‎, ‎Manama 26671, Bahrain
Reem Elbeltagi, Department of Medicine, The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland - Bahrain, ‎Busiateen 15503, Muharraq, Bahrain
Co-first authors: Mohammed Al-Beltagi and Nermin Kamal Saeed.
Co-corresponding authors: Mohammed Al-Beltagi and Reem Elbeltagi.
Author contributions: Al-Beltagi M, Saeed NK, Bediwy AS, and Elbeltagi R contributed to this systematic review exploring metabolomic changes in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Al-Beltagi M, Saeed NK, and Elbeltagi R conceptualized and designed the review, with Al-Beltagi M specifically proposing, designing, and conducting the systematic search in electronic databases, as well as synthesizing the included studies' findings. Bediwy AS, along with Al-Beltagi M and Saeed NK, screened studies, extracted data, and contributed to the analysis and interpretation of the results. Both Al-Beltagi M and Saeed NK made crucial and indispensable contributions to the project, qualifying them as co-first authors of the review. Elbeltagi R, along with Al-Beltagi M, played important and indispensable roles as co-corresponding authors, with Elbeltagi R providing oversight and guidance throughout the review process, as well as contributing to the interpretation of the results and drafting the manuscript. Furthermore, Al-Beltagi M and Elbeltagi R collaborated closely in synthesizing the findings, identifying specific metabolites and metabolic pathways associated with ASD, and discussing the clinical implications of the results. This collaboration between Al-Beltagi M and Elbeltagi R was crucial for the completion and publication of this systematic review, which aims to enhance our understanding of metabolic dysregulations in ASD and their clinical implications.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.
PRISMA 2009 Checklist statement: The authors have read the PRISMA 2009 Checklist, and the manuscript was prepared and revised according to the PRISMA 2009 Checklist.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Mohammed Al-Beltagi, MBChB, MD, PhD, Academic Editor, Chairman, Professor, Research Scientist, Department of Pediatric, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Al-Bahr street, The Medical Complex, Tanta ‎ 31511‎, Alghrabia, Egypt. mbelrem@hotmail.com
Received: February 4, 2024
Revised: April 23, 2024
Accepted: May 6, 2024
Published online: June 9, 2024
Processing time: 124 Days and 3.1 Hours
Abstract
BACKGROUND

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by deficits in social communication and repetitive behaviors. Metabolomic profiling has emerged as a valuable tool for understanding the underlying metabolic dysregulations associated with ASD.

AIM

To comprehensively explore metabolomic changes in children with ASD, integrating findings from various research articles, reviews, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, case reports, editorials, and a book chapter.

METHODS

A systematic search was conducted in electronic databases, including PubMed, PubMed Central, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, Scopus, LISA, and NLM catalog up until January 2024. Inclusion criteria encompassed research articles (83), review articles (145), meta-analyses (6), systematic reviews (6), case reports (2), editorials (2), and a book chapter (1) related to metabolomic changes in children with ASD. Exclusion criteria were applied to ensure the relevance and quality of included studies.

RESULTS

The systematic review identified specific metabolites and metabolic pathways showing consistent differences in children with ASD compared to typically developing individuals. These metabolic biomarkers may serve as objective measures to support clinical assessments, improve diagnostic accuracy, and inform personalized treatment approaches. Metabolomic profiling also offers insights into the metabolic alterations associated with comorbid conditions commonly observed in individuals with ASD.

CONCLUSION

Integration of metabolomic changes in children with ASD holds promise for enhancing diagnostic accuracy, guiding personalized treatment approaches, monitoring treatment response, and improving outcomes. Further research is needed to validate findings, establish standardized protocols, and overcome technical challenges in metabolomic analysis. By advancing our understanding of metabolic dysregulations in ASD, clinicians can improve the lives of affected individuals and their families.

Keywords: Autism spectrum disorder; Metabolic dysregulations; Metabolomic changes; ‎Children; Mitochondrial dysfunction; Oxidative stress; Amino acids

Core Tip: This systematic review examines metabolic changes in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by integrating various sources of evidence. Through an extensive search, the review explores factors influencing metabolomic changes in children with ASD, such as age, genetics, diet, gut microbiota, and medical interventions. The systematic review identifies common metabolic dysregulations, including abnormalities in energy metabolism, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and neurotransmitter metabolism. Despite limitations, integrating metabolomic changes in ASD holds promise for improving diagnosis and treatment approaches.