Prenatal exposure of a girl with autism spectrum disorder to 'horsetail' (Equisetum arvense) herbal remedy and alcohol: a case report
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder in which the interactions of genetic, epigenetic and environmental influences are thought to play a causal role. In humans, throughout embryonic and fetal life, brain development is e...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2011-03-01
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| Series: | Journal of Medical Case Reports |
| Online Access: | http://www.jmedicalcasereports.com/content/5/1/129 |
| _version_ | 1811313973262286848 |
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| author | Martínez-Salcedo Eduardo Mira Alberto Soldin Offie P Sobrino-Najul Elías J Angulo Mario G Ortega García Juan A Claudio Luz |
| author_facet | Martínez-Salcedo Eduardo Mira Alberto Soldin Offie P Sobrino-Najul Elías J Angulo Mario G Ortega García Juan A Claudio Luz |
| author_sort | Martínez-Salcedo Eduardo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder in which the interactions of genetic, epigenetic and environmental influences are thought to play a causal role. In humans, throughout embryonic and fetal life, brain development is exquisitely susceptible to injury caused by exposure to toxic chemicals present in the environment. Although the use of herbal supplements during pregnancy is relatively common, little information is available on their association with fetal neurodevelopment. This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first report in the literature to associate a new plausible mechanism of neurodevelopmental toxicity with a case of autism spectrum disorder through a vitamin deficiency potentiated by concomitant use of herbal supplements and ethanol exposure.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We describe the pediatric environmental history of a three-year-old Caucasian girl with an autism spectrum disorder. We utilized her pediatric environmental history to evaluate constitutional, genetic, and environmental factors pertinent to manifestation of neurodevelopment disorders. Both parents reported prenatal exposure to several risk factors of interest. A year prior to conception the mother began a weight loss diet and ingested 1200 mg/day of 'horsetail' (<it>Equisetum arvense</it>) herbal remedies containing thiaminase, an enzyme that with long-term use can lead to vitamin deficiency. The mother reported a significant weight loss during the pregnancy and a deficiency of B-complex vitamins. Thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency could have been potentiated by the horsetail's thiaminase activity and ethanol exposure during pregnancy. No other risk factors were identified.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>A detailed and careful pediatric environmental history, which includes daily intake, herbal remedies and ethanol exposure, should be obtained from all patients with autism spectrum disorder. Maternal consumption of ethanol and of herbal supplements with suspected or potential toxicity should be avoided during pregnancy. The prospective parents should perform preconception planning before pregnancy.</p> |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T11:03:46Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-dad34d1d43454555a7d9d3cffde04c1c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1752-1947 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T11:03:46Z |
| publishDate | 2011-03-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Medical Case Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-dad34d1d43454555a7d9d3cffde04c1c2022-12-22T02:49:20ZengBMCJournal of Medical Case Reports1752-19472011-03-015112910.1186/1752-1947-5-129Prenatal exposure of a girl with autism spectrum disorder to 'horsetail' (Equisetum arvense) herbal remedy and alcohol: a case reportMartínez-Salcedo EduardoMira AlbertoSoldin Offie PSobrino-Najul Elías JAngulo Mario GOrtega García Juan AClaudio Luz<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder in which the interactions of genetic, epigenetic and environmental influences are thought to play a causal role. In humans, throughout embryonic and fetal life, brain development is exquisitely susceptible to injury caused by exposure to toxic chemicals present in the environment. Although the use of herbal supplements during pregnancy is relatively common, little information is available on their association with fetal neurodevelopment. This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first report in the literature to associate a new plausible mechanism of neurodevelopmental toxicity with a case of autism spectrum disorder through a vitamin deficiency potentiated by concomitant use of herbal supplements and ethanol exposure.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We describe the pediatric environmental history of a three-year-old Caucasian girl with an autism spectrum disorder. We utilized her pediatric environmental history to evaluate constitutional, genetic, and environmental factors pertinent to manifestation of neurodevelopment disorders. Both parents reported prenatal exposure to several risk factors of interest. A year prior to conception the mother began a weight loss diet and ingested 1200 mg/day of 'horsetail' (<it>Equisetum arvense</it>) herbal remedies containing thiaminase, an enzyme that with long-term use can lead to vitamin deficiency. The mother reported a significant weight loss during the pregnancy and a deficiency of B-complex vitamins. Thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency could have been potentiated by the horsetail's thiaminase activity and ethanol exposure during pregnancy. No other risk factors were identified.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>A detailed and careful pediatric environmental history, which includes daily intake, herbal remedies and ethanol exposure, should be obtained from all patients with autism spectrum disorder. Maternal consumption of ethanol and of herbal supplements with suspected or potential toxicity should be avoided during pregnancy. The prospective parents should perform preconception planning before pregnancy.</p>http://www.jmedicalcasereports.com/content/5/1/129 |
| spellingShingle | Martínez-Salcedo Eduardo Mira Alberto Soldin Offie P Sobrino-Najul Elías J Angulo Mario G Ortega García Juan A Claudio Luz Prenatal exposure of a girl with autism spectrum disorder to 'horsetail' (Equisetum arvense) herbal remedy and alcohol: a case report Journal of Medical Case Reports |
| title | Prenatal exposure of a girl with autism spectrum disorder to 'horsetail' (Equisetum arvense) herbal remedy and alcohol: a case report |
| title_full | Prenatal exposure of a girl with autism spectrum disorder to 'horsetail' (Equisetum arvense) herbal remedy and alcohol: a case report |
| title_fullStr | Prenatal exposure of a girl with autism spectrum disorder to 'horsetail' (Equisetum arvense) herbal remedy and alcohol: a case report |
| title_full_unstemmed | Prenatal exposure of a girl with autism spectrum disorder to 'horsetail' (Equisetum arvense) herbal remedy and alcohol: a case report |
| title_short | Prenatal exposure of a girl with autism spectrum disorder to 'horsetail' (Equisetum arvense) herbal remedy and alcohol: a case report |
| title_sort | prenatal exposure of a girl with autism spectrum disorder to horsetail equisetum arvense herbal remedy and alcohol a case report |
| url | http://www.jmedicalcasereports.com/content/5/1/129 |
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