[S100B protein in the blood of children with autism spectrum disorders].

To evaluate the plasma content of S100B protein in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
Forty-five children with autism (item F84 of ICD-10), aged from 6 to 15 years, were examined. The control group (KG) consisted of 25 healthy children. The study included examination by specialists, an assessment of the severity of the disease using the Children’s Rating Scale of Autism scale (CARS), evaluation of S100B in blood serum.
The content of S100B in children with autism was significantly higher in comparison with KG. The level of S100B in children with ASD with abnormal development of brain structures (MRI) was significantly higher compared with KG and a group of children without signs of disturbance of brain structures. S100B levels were higher in children with severe ASD, and differed from controls in children with moderate ASD.
The majority of children with ASD show signs of stress of neuroprotective mechanisms, and children with anomalies of brain structures have signs of hypoxia of the brain and damage of the blood-brain barrier.