Abstract: Objective To explore the level of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in blood plasma and its relation with the behavior ofchildren with autism. Methods High performance liquid chromatography was used to measure the level of free PUFAs of blood plasma in30 autistic children and 20 healthy children. Conner's Parent Rating Scale (parents) and the Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised (RBS-R) RatingScale were used to evaluate the behavior of the children, and the relationship between the PUFAs level and abnormal behavior in the childrenwas also analyzed. Results The level of α-linolenic acid (ALA), docosahexenoic acid (DHA) and total n-3 PUFAs were lower in autisticchildren than in healthy children (P<0.05), especially lower in DHA (P<0.01). There was no significant difference in n-3 PUFAs betweentwo groups (P>0.05); There were negatively correlations between the level of DHA and total n-3 PUFAs in blood plasma and impulsion-hyperactivity,hyperactivity index, learning, anxiety, stereotypic behavior, self-injurious behavior, compulsions, ritualistic behavior and samenessbehavior. Conclusion The level of n-3 PUFAs in blood plasma of autistic children was lower than the healthy children and the level ofPUFAs were correlated with the behavior of autistic children.

Key words: autism, polyunsaturated fatty acids, docosahexaenoic acid, the Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised