©Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2026.
World J Psychiatry. Mar 19, 2026; 16(3): 112418
Published online Mar 19, 2026. doi: 10.5498/wjp.v16.i3.112418
Published online Mar 19, 2026. doi: 10.5498/wjp.v16.i3.112418
Table 4 Univariate assessment of autism spectrum disorder severity determinants in pediatric cases, n (%)
| Variable | Mild-to-moderate (n = 28) | Severe (n = 25) | χ2 | P value |
| Gender | 0.533 | 0.465 | ||
| Male | 14 (50.00) | 15 (60.00) | ||
| Female | 14 (50.00) | 10 (40.00) | ||
| Age (years) | 2.672 | 0.102 | ||
| < 7 | 14 (50.00) | 18 (72.00) | ||
| ≥ 7 | 14 (50.00) | 7 (28.00) | ||
| Disease duration (months) | 5.306 | 0.021 | ||
| < 5 | 21 (75.00) | 11 (44.00) | ||
| ≥ 5 | 7 (25.00) | 14 (56.00) | ||
| Family genetic history | 0.759 | 0.384 | ||
| No | 22 (78.57) | 17 (68.00) | ||
| Yes | 6 (21.43) | 8 (32.00) | ||
| Father's personality | 5.731 | 0.057 | ||
| Introverted | 5 (17.86) | 12 (48.00) | ||
| Ambiverted | 7 (25.00) | 5 (20.00) | ||
| Extroverted | 16 (57.14) | 8 (32.00) | ||
| Mother's personality | 2.237 | 0.327 | ||
| Introverted | 6 (21.43) | 9 (36.00) | ||
| Ambiverted | 9 (32.14) | 9 (36.00) | ||
| Extroverted | 13 (46.43) | 7 (28.00) | ||
| SF (nmol/L) | 4.567 | 0.033 | ||
| < 20 | 12 (42.86) | 18 (72.00) | ||
| ≥ 20 | 16 (57.14) | 7 (28.00) | ||
| BDNF (pg/mL) | 10.194 | 0.001 | ||
| < 18 | 19 (67.86) | 6 (24.00) | ||
| ≥ 18 | 9 (32.14) | 19 (76.00) |
- Citation: Chen LB, Xu XQ, Chen YH. Serum folate and brain-derived neurotrophic factor in pediatric autism spectrum disorder and their predictive role in illness severity. World J Psychiatry 2026; 16(3): 112418
- URL: https://www.wjgnet.com/2220-3206/full/v16/i3/112418.htm
- DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.5498/wjp.v16.i3.112418