Children presenting with Autistic Spectrum Disorder have challenged medical science, yef prolific research has not answered the cause, appropriate testing or treatment of these patients. To determine the etiology of children with. autistic features we investigated metabolic aberrations through profit ing blood chemistry, organic and ammo acids, and red cell membrane fatty acids. Our findings of the red cell membrane analysis of 50 subjects reveal characteristic elevation of the very long chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) above C22 as Vervonic (C24:lw9), Lignoceric (C24:0), Docosa-penUienoic (C22:5w3) and Docosahexaenoic (C32:6w3) indicating peroxisomal involvement.

Peroxisomal disorders are characterized by an accumulation in tissue, and body jlaids of metabolites that normally are degraded in the peroxisome including saturated and unsaturated VLCFAs and the branched chain fatty acids, pristanic and phytanic. Peroxisomes are pivotal in the biotransfomiation of endogenous compounds in lipid metabolism as fatty acids, steroids, prostaglandins, the formation of myelin impacting the immune, endocrine and central nervous systems in addition to the detoxification of exogenous compounds and xembiotics. The accumulation of VLCFAs are indicative of defects in peroxisomal b oxidation which may explain the deleterious efects to the brain, endocrine and immune systems and hepatic cytochrome P450 derangement characteristic in autistic spectrum disorder.