[Disturbances in dopamine metabolism in autistic children: results of clinical tests and urinary dosages of homovanilic acid (HVA)].

We have studied disturbances in dopamine metabolism by assaying HVA in urines of 44 autistic children. First a clinical study identifies the main clinical symptoms. This allows to differentiate between "pure" autistic children and autistic children with associated signs. Urinary HVA was significantly higher in autistic children and there was a relationship between severity of autism and HVA levels.