Assessment of Serum Vitamin D3 and Lipid ProfileLevel in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder inSana’a City, Yemen

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition characterized by persistent deficits in social communication, restricted patterns of behavior, and a wide range of cognitive and sensory processing differences. The global prevalence of ASD has increased significantly over the past two decades, raising scientific interest in understanding its multifactorial etiology. The pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) remains unclear and is considered highly complex. However, current evidence suggests
that ASD arises from a multifactorial interplay between genetic predisposition and environmental factors that alter brain development and neural function. This study aimed to assess the levels of serum vitamin D3 and lipid profiles in children with autism spectrum disorder in Sana’a city, Yemen.
Methods: This case-control study was conducted from January to December 2025. The sample size will be 120, divided into 60 cases and 60 controls each. A venous blood sample (approximately 5 mL) was collected from each participant in the morning after an overnight fast (8-10 hours) into labelled plain test tubes under aseptic conditions. Demographic and clinical information, including age, sex, weight, height, body mass index (BMI), type of birth, and mothers’ and fathers’ ages at childbirth, were collected. Data were entered and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.
Result: This study population included children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who were attending specialized autism centers in Sana’a city, Yemen, to assess the levels of serum Vit D3 and lipid profiles in children with autism spectrum disorder. We found a statistical significance of VitD3 and HDL among cases and controls, with a median (IQR) of VitD3 (18.5 (10.2)) compared to controls (23.5 (11)) with P = 0.01. The median (IQR) of HDL of case 40 (14) compared to control 44 (13), with P = 0.01. Non-statistically significant findings of cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL with mean ± SD and median (IQR) of the control 159±27.7, 115.5(26), and 87(23), respectively, compared to the mean ± SD and median (IQR) of the case 159±20, 116(50), and 88.5(36), respectively. Although there was a non-significant difference between the case and control groups in terms of BMI, type of birth, and father and mother age at the baby’s birth.
Conclusion: This study highlights whether there are differences in vitamin D3 and lipid profile levels between children and typically developing children in Sanaa City, Yemen.