Mean platelet volume as A biomarker of inflammation in autism spectrum disorder

Objective: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is multifactorial and neurodevelopmental disorder. Recently, It is assumed that changes in the immune system and autoimmunity may play a role in etiology. In this study, we aimed to show a possible association between ASD and mean platelet volume (MPV), Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), Platelet/Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR) for determining inflammation process. Material and Methods: A retrospective Chart review of 80 patients with ASD treatment naive and 50 healthy children who applied to Cukurova University Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department, between 01.01.2015-01.10.2017 was completed. Sociodemographic data, clinical features, Ankara Developmental Screening Inventory, ABC psychometric tests and routine blood tests, ASO, MPV, NLR and PLR were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 22.00. Results: MPV was found to be higher in the ASD group than the control group although statistically nonsignificant (9,87±0,94; 9,58±0,84 p=0,076). It is higher in the regressive ASD (ASD-R) and the non-regressive ASD group than the control group although statistically nonsignificant (10,07±1,11; 9,75±0,81; 9,58±0,84 p=0,069). ASD-R patients have higher MPV than the control group with statistically significant (10,07±1,11; 9,58±0,84 p=0,030). Patients with ASD have lower PLR rates than the control group with statistically significant (80475,4±24234,5; 94721,68±37201,4 p=0,009). ASD-R and non-Regressive ASD group have lower PLR than the control group with statistically significantly (78802,27±22230,27; 81479,28±25527,9; 94721,68±37201,4 p=0,032). The mean ASO titers were higher in the ASD than the control (104,53±168,43; 45,65±37 p=0,016). There was no statistically significant difference between groups for NLR. Conclusions: Autism is a disorder with heterogeneous etiology. MPV, PLR and NLR are easy and cost-effective hematological parameters that can predict the subclinical inflammatory process. These parameters may be clinically relevant on larger clinical samples and particularly in subgroups with autoimmune etiologies in ASD. Key Words: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Inflammation, Mean Platelet Volume, Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio, Platelet/Lymphocyte Ratio