Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) has been the focus of debate in recent years. This study aimed to analyze hair lead levels in ASD children and their correlation with the severity of ASD symptoms. This study was a cross-sectional study. The study was conducted in September 2016-January 2017 on 80 children consisting of 40 children with ASD and 40 non-ASD who were treated at the pediatric polyclinic of RSUP dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo. Data came from history taking, physical examination, Denver II screening, M-CHAT-R/F and DSM V, CARS and examination of hair lead levels using the ICP-MS method. Determination of the degree of ASD based on the CARS score. Then the lead levels between the two groups were compared. The results showed that the lead levels in the hair of ASD children (mean 3.33 g/g) were not significantly different from non-ASD children (mean 4.02 g/g), with p value = 0.371 (p >0.05). The mean value of lead levels in mild-moderate ASD was 2.21 g/g and severe ASD was 3.71 g/g, with p=0.332 (p>0.05). There was no significant correlation between hair lead levels and CARS scores with a correlation coefficient of 0.124 and p value = 0.446 (p>0.05). There was no significant difference in the frequency of subjects living in urban environments between the two groups with p value = 0.762, OR 1.202, CI (0.365-3.955). There was no significant difference in the frequency of subjects living in a factory environment between the two groups with p=0.108, OR 6.882, CI (0.789-60600). Exposure to pollution in urban and factory environments is not a risk factor for ASD.

Keywords: Autism spectrum disorders, CARS, lead, hair analysis