Il leptina come biomarcatore di disregolazione del sonno nei bambini con TSA: Uno studio di cohorte senza farmaci.

OBJECTIVE: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), typically diagnosed before the age of three, is characterized by deficits in social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors. Sleep disturbances are highly prevalent in ASD and have been associated with altered neuroendocrine regulation. Leptin, a hormone involved in metabolic balance and circadian rhythms, has been proposed as a potential biomarker of sleep and neurodevelopmental dysfunction. This study aimed to explore the association between serum leptin levels, sleep habits, and autism symptomatology in a cohort of children with ASD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 76 medication-naïve children with ASD (mean age: 6.86 ± 1.88; rang