{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,31]],"date-time":"2026-01-31T09:04:35Z","timestamp":1769850275656,"version":"3.49.0"},"reference-count":40,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"4","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2016,3,30]],"date-time":"2016-03-30T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1459296000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"name":"European Union (FEDER funds through COMPETE) and National Funds (FCT, Funda\u00e7\u00e3oo para a Ci\u00eancia e Tecnologia)","award":["UID\/QUI\/50006\/2013"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["UID\/QUI\/50006\/2013"]}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["IJERPH"],"abstract":"<jats:p>The number of children affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) is dramatically increasing as well as the studies aimed at understanding the risk factors associated with the development of ASD. Since the etiology of ASD is partly genetic and partly environmental, factors (i.e., heavy metals, pesticides) as well as lifestyle seem to have a key role in the development of the disease. ASD and Control (CTR) children, aged 5\u201312 years, were compared. Gas chromatography coupled with trap mass detector was used to measure the level of 3-PBA, the main pyrethroid metabolite in urine in a group of ASD patients, while optical emission spectrometry analysis was employed to estimate the level of metals and microelements in hair in a different group of ASD children. The presence of 3-PBA in urine seems to be independent of age in ASD children, while a positive correlation between 3-PBA and age was observed in the control group of the same age range. Urine concentration of 3-BPA in ASD children had higher values than in the control group, which were marginally significant (p = 0.054). Mg results were significantly decreased in ASD with respect to controls, while V, S, Zn, and Ca\/Mg were marginally increased, without reaching statistical significance. Results of Principal Component (PC) analysis of metals and microelements in hair were not associated with either age or health status. In conclusion, 3-PBA in urine and Mg in hair were changed in ASD children relative to control ones.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph13040388","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2016,3,30]],"date-time":"2016-03-30T16:47:27Z","timestamp":1459356447000},"page":"388","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":43,"title":["Pyrethroid Pesticide Metabolite in Urine and Microelements in Hair of Children Affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Preliminary Investigation"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"13","author":[{"given":"Valentina","family":"Domingues","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"REQUIMTE\/LAQV, Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto, Instituto Polit\u00e9cnico do Porto, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-4470-7345","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Cinzia","family":"Nasuti","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-8545-3740","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Marco","family":"Piangerelli","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Computer Science Division, School of Science and Technology, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-1135-0260","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Lu\u00edsa","family":"Correia-S\u00e1","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"REQUIMTE\/LAQV, Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto, Instituto Polit\u00e9cnico do Porto, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal"}]},{"given":"Alessandro","family":"Ghezzo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"DIMES, School of Medicine, Universit\u00e0 di Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy and Don Carlo Gnocchi Foundation ONLUS, 20162 Milan, Italy"}]},{"given":"Marina","family":"Marini","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"DIMES, School of Medicine, Universit\u00e0 di Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy and Don Carlo Gnocchi Foundation ONLUS, 20162 Milan, Italy"}]},{"given":"Provvidenza","family":"Abruzzo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"DIMES, School of Medicine, Universit\u00e0 di Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy and Don Carlo Gnocchi Foundation ONLUS, 20162 Milan, Italy"}]},{"given":"Paola","family":"Visconti","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"IRCCS Institute of Neurological Sciences-Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy"}]},{"given":"Marcello","family":"Giustozzi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Laboratorio NovEra srl, 62012 Civitanova Marche, Italy"}]},{"given":"Gerardo","family":"Rossi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Laboratorio NovEra srl, 62012 Civitanova Marche, Italy"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-0037-7740","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Rosita","family":"Gabbianelli","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2016,3,30]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"557","DOI":"10.1007\/s10522-013-9464-1","article-title":"Hair trace elementary profiles in aging rodents and primates: Links to altered cell homeodynamics and disease","volume":"14","author":"Ambeskovic","year":"2013","journal-title":"Biogerontology"},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"521","DOI":"10.1007\/s004200050410","article-title":"Biomonitoring of manganese in blood, urine and axillary hair following low-dose exposure during the manufacture of dry cell batteries","volume":"72","author":"Bader","year":"1999","journal-title":"Int. Arch. Occup. Environ. Health"},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Nasuti, C., Ferraro, S., Giovannetti, R., Piangerelli, M., and Gabbianelli, R. (2016). Metal and Microelement Biomarkers of Neurodegeneration in Early Life Permethrin-Treated Rats. Toxics, 4.","DOI":"10.3390\/toxics4010003"},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"4486","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph9124486","article-title":"Hair toxic metal concentrations and autism spectrum disorder severity in young children","volume":"9","author":"Geier","year":"2012","journal-title":"Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health"},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"6027","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph10116027","article-title":"Assessment of infantile mineral imbalances in autism spectrum disorders (ASDs)","volume":"10","author":"Yasuda","year":"2013","journal-title":"Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health"},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Vela, G., Stark, P., Socha, M., Sauer, A.K., Hagmeyer, S., and Grabrucker, A.M. (2015). Zinc in gut-brain interaction in autism and neurological disorders. Neural Plast., 2015.","DOI":"10.1155\/2015\/972791"},{"key":"ref_7","first-page":"38","article-title":"Toxic Metals and Essential Elements in Hair and Severity of Symptoms among Children with Autism","volume":"7","author":"Amin","year":"2012","journal-title":"Maedica"},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"72","DOI":"10.5414\/TEP26072","article-title":"Hair concentrations of magnesium, calcium, iron, selenium, zinc and copper in autistic children","volume":"26","author":"Lubkowska","year":"2009","journal-title":"Trace Elem. Electrolytes"},{"key":"ref_9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"193","DOI":"10.1385\/BTER:110:3:193","article-title":"Analyses of toxic metals and essential minerals in the hair of Arizona children with autism and associated conditions, and their mothers","volume":"110","author":"Adams","year":"2006","journal-title":"Biol. Trace Elem. Res."},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"290","DOI":"10.1177\/1362361305053255","article-title":"Toxic trace elements in the hair of children with autism","volume":"9","author":"Fido","year":"2005","journal-title":"Autism"},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"148","DOI":"10.1007\/s12011-010-8766-2","article-title":"Level of trace elements (copper, zinc, magnesium and selenium) and toxic elements (lead and mercury) in the hair and nail of children with autism","volume":"142","author":"Geetha","year":"2011","journal-title":"Biol. Trace Elem. Res."},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"715","DOI":"10.1080\/15287390601188060","article-title":"Sulfhydryl-reactive metals in autism","volume":"70","author":"Kern","year":"2007","journal-title":"J. Toxicol. Environ. Health A"},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Mohamed, F.E.B., Zaky, E.A., El-Sayed, A.B., Elhossieny, R.M., Zahra, S.S., and Salah Eldin, W. (2015). Assessment of Hair Aluminum, Lead, and Mercury in a Sample of Autistic Egyptian Children: Environmental Risk Factors of Heavy Metals in Autism. Behav. Neurol., 2015.","DOI":"10.1155\/2015\/545674"},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1016\/j.tox.2015.06.010","article-title":"Developmental neurotoxic effects of two pesticides: Behavior and neuroprotein studies on endosulfan and cypermethrin","volume":"335","author":"Lee","year":"2015","journal-title":"Toxicology"},{"key":"ref_15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Holzman, D.C. (2014). Pesticides and autism spectrum disorders: New findings from the CHARGE study. Environ. Health Perspect., 122.","DOI":"10.1289\/ehp.122-A280"},{"key":"ref_16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Keil, A.P., Daniels, J.L., and Hertz-Picciotto, I. (2014). Autism spectrum disorder, flea and tick medication, and adjustments for exposure misclassification: The CHARGE (Childhood Autism Risks from Genetics and Environment) case-control study. Environ. Health, 13.","DOI":"10.1186\/1476-069X-13-3"},{"key":"ref_17","unstructured":"Caudle, W.M. (2015). Vulnerability of synapses in the frontal cortex of mice developmentally exposed to an insecticide: Potential contribution to neuropsychiatric disease. Neurotransmitter, 2."},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Shelton, J.F., Geraghty, E.M., Tancredi, D.J., Delwiche, L.D., Schmidt, R.J., Ritz, B., Hansen, R.L., and Hertz-Picciotto, I. (2014). Neurodevelopmental disorders and prenatal residential proximity to agricultural pesticides: The CHARGE study. Environ. Health Perspect., 122.","DOI":"10.1289\/ehp.1307044"},{"key":"ref_19","unstructured":"Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Statistics Division. Available online: http:\/\/faostat3.fao.org."},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"267","DOI":"10.1038\/jes.2012.12","article-title":"Quantifying children\u2019s aggregate (dietary and residential) exposure and dose to permethrin: Application and evaluation of EPA\u2019s probabilistic SHEDS-Multimedia model","volume":"22","author":"Zartarian","year":"2012","journal-title":"J. Expo. Sci. Environ. Epidemiol."},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"742","DOI":"10.1289\/ehp.0901275","article-title":"Urinary concentrations of metabolites of pyrethroid insecticides in the general U.S. population: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999\u20132002","volume":"118","author":"Barr","year":"2010","journal-title":"Environ. Health Perspect."},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"93","DOI":"10.2165\/00139709-200524020-00003","article-title":"Poisoning due to pyrethroids","volume":"24","author":"Bradberry","year":"2005","journal-title":"Toxicol. Rev."},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Rossignol, D.A., Genuis, S.J., and Frye, R.E. (2014). Environmental toxicants and autism spectrum disorders: A systematic review. Transl. Psychiatry, 4.","DOI":"10.1038\/tp.2014.4"},{"key":"ref_24","unstructured":"American Psychiatric Association (2000). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, American Psychiatric Association. [4th ed.]."},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Lord, C., Rutter, M., DiLavore, P.C., and Risi, S. (1999). Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule\u2014Generic, Western Psychological Service.","DOI":"10.1037\/t17256-000"},{"key":"ref_26","unstructured":"Schopler, E., Reichler, R.J., and Renner, B.R. (1988). The Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), Western Psychological Services."},{"key":"ref_27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Schopler, E., Lansing, M.D., Reichler, R.J., and Marcus, L.M. (2005). Psychoeducational Profile, Western Psychological Services. [3rd ed.]. (PEP-3).","DOI":"10.1037\/t52601-000"},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Roid, G.M., and Miller, L.J. (1997). Leiter International Performance Scale-Revised: Examiners Manual, Stoelting Co.","DOI":"10.1037\/t05120-000"},{"key":"ref_29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"59","DOI":"10.1007\/BF00337288","article-title":"Self-organized formation of topologically correct feature maps","volume":"43","author":"Kohonen","year":"1982","journal-title":"Biol. Cybern."},{"key":"ref_30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Kohonen, T. (2001). Self-Organizing Maps, Springer. [3rd ed.].","DOI":"10.1007\/978-3-642-56927-2"},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Kohonen, T. (1988). Self-Organization and Associative Memory, Springer Verlag.","DOI":"10.1007\/978-3-662-00784-6"},{"key":"ref_32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"115","DOI":"10.1016\/j.chemolab.2009.05.007","article-title":"The Kohonen and CP-ANN toolbox: A collection of MATLAB modules for Self Organizing Maps and Counterpropagation","volume":"98","author":"Ballabio","year":"2009","journal-title":"Chemometr. Intell. Lab. Syst."},{"key":"ref_33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"24","DOI":"10.1016\/j.chemolab.2012.07.005","article-title":"MATLAB Toolbox for Self Organizing Maps and supervised neural network learning strategies","volume":"118","author":"Ballabio","year":"2012","journal-title":"Chemometr. Intell. Lab. Syst."},{"key":"ref_34","unstructured":"Milano Chemometrics and QSAR Research Group. Available online: http:\/\/michem.disat.unimib.it\/chm\/download\/kohoneninfo.htm."},{"key":"ref_35","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"944","DOI":"10.1289\/ehp.1104553","article-title":"Tipping the balance of autism risk: Potential mechanisms linking pesticides and autism","volume":"120","author":"Shelton","year":"2012","journal-title":"Environ. Health Perspect."},{"key":"ref_36","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1482","DOI":"10.1289\/ehp.10168","article-title":"Maternal Residence Near Agricultural Pesticide Applications and Autism Spectrum Disorders among Children in the California Central Valley","volume":"115","author":"Roberts","year":"2007","journal-title":"Environ. Health Perspect."},{"key":"ref_37","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"194","DOI":"10.1016\/j.tox.2006.10.015","article-title":"Dopaminergic system modulation, behavioral changes, and oxidative stress after neonatal administration of pyrethroids","volume":"229","author":"Nasuti","year":"2007","journal-title":"Toxicology"},{"key":"ref_38","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"162","DOI":"10.1016\/j.tox.2012.09.016","article-title":"Effects of early life permethrin exposure on spatial working memory and on monoamine levels in different brain areas of pre-senescent rats","volume":"7","author":"Nasuti","year":"2013","journal-title":"Toxicology"},{"key":"ref_39","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"451","DOI":"10.3390\/toxics3040451","article-title":"Intergenerational Effect of Early Life Exposure to Permethrin: Changes in Global DNA Methylation and in Nurr1 Gene Expression","volume":"3","author":"Bordoni","year":"2015","journal-title":"Toxics"},{"key":"ref_40","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1792","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph8061792","article-title":"Assessing Diet as a Modifiable Risk Factor for Pesticide Exposure","volume":"8","author":"Oates","year":"2011","journal-title":"Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health"}],"container-title":["International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/1660-4601\/13\/4\/388\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,11]],"date-time":"2025-10-11T19:21:33Z","timestamp":1760210493000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/1660-4601\/13\/4\/388"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2016,3,30]]},"references-count":40,"journal-issue":{"issue":"4","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2016,4]]}},"alternative-id":["ijerph13040388"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/ijerph13040388","relation":{},"ISSN":["1660-4601"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1660-4601","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2016,3,30]]}}}