vitamin-b-12 and Child-Development-Disorders--Pervasive

This article provides a conceptual overview for the use of biomedical complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatments for autism spectrum disorders. Pharmaceutical agents with published studies are briefly mentioned; but the focus of the article is on possible biomedical CAM treatments, the rationale for their use, and the current database of mostly preliminary studies regarding their safety and efficacy. Of the more than 50 treatments currently listed here and in use by eager families, 9 are reviewed in more detail because of their promise from preliminary research studies or because of public interest.

Topics: Acetylcysteine; Central Nervous System Depressants; Chelation Therapy; Child; Child Development Disorders, Pervasive; Complementary Therapies; Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; Fatty Acids, Omega-3; Humans; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; Melatonin; Memantine; Micronutrients; Treatment Outcome; Vitamin B 12

Childhood disintegrative disorder is a rare disorder, characterized by regression of acquired skills after a period of normal development. The case of childhood disintegrative disorder presented here was found to have vitamin B12 deficiency and hyperhomocysteinemia on extensive evaluation to find a probable cause for regression. This case illustrates the need for a thorough evaluation of all cases of childhood disintegrative disorder so that treatable causes of regression, like vitamin B12 deficiency, are not missed.

Topics: Adolescent; Child; Child Development Disorders, Pervasive; Humans; Male; Regression, Psychology; Treatment Outcome; Vitamin B 12; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency