Interleukin-6 Levels in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Non-Autism Spectrum Disorder
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Introduction: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by deficits in social communication and restricted, repetitive behaviors. Increasing evidence suggests that immune dysregulation and neuroinflammation, particularly involving Interleukin-6 (IL-6), play an important role in ASD pathophysiology. However, data regarding IL-6 profiles in Indonesian children with ASD are still limited. Objectives: This study aimed to compare serum IL-6 levels between children with ASD and non-ASD controls and to evaluate the diagnostic performance of IL-6 as a potential inflammatory biomarker. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted at the Pediatric Social Developmental Clinic of Dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo General Hospital, Makassar. Sixty children aged 3–10 years were enrolled, comprising 30 children with confirmed ASD and 30 non-ASD controls selected through consecutive sampling. ASD diagnosis was established using DSM-5 criteria. Serum IL-6 levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Statistical analyses included Mann–Whitney U test, Chi-square test, and Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: Median serum IL-6 levels were significantly higher in the ASD group than in the non-ASD group (113.26 vs. 26.83 ng/L; p < 0.001). ROC analysis demonstrated good discriminative ability, with an optimal IL-6 cut-off value of 58.82 ng/L. Using this threshold, 90% of children with ASD showed elevated IL-6 levels, whereas 93.3% of non-ASD controls had levels below the cut-off (p < 0.001). Elevated IL-6 levels were observed across all age groups. A non-significant trend toward higher IL-6 levels was found in children with more severe ASD symptoms. Conclusions: Serum IL-6 levels are significantly elevated in children with ASD and show good discriminatory performance. IL-6 may serve as a useful adjunct inflammatory biomarker in pediatric ASD.
Source: Journal of chemical health risks
Author: Nurfadillah As’ad
Language: English
Subfield: Cognitive Neuroscience
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
Funder: Jaeb Center for Health Research
OpenAlex ID: W7217259323