Oxytocin levels tend to be lower in autistic children: A meta-analysis of 31 studies.

John S, Jaeggi AV

Autism : the international journal of research and practice25 Jul 2021Cited by 69 (Europe PMC)

PMID34308675DOI10.1177/13623613211034375PepBankPUB-34308675

Publisher page PubMedAsk about this study

Summary

Lay abstractOxytocin is a hormone that mediates interpersonal relationships through enhancing social recognition, social memory, and reducing stress. It is released centrally into the cerebrospinal fluid, as well as peripherally into the blood, where it can easily be measured. Some studies indicate that the oxytocin system with its social implications might be different in people with autism spectrum disorder. With summarizing evidence of 31 studies, this meta-analysis suggests that children with autism spectrum disorder have lower blood oxytocin levels compared to neurotypical individuals. This might not be the case for adults with autism spectrum disorder, where we could not find a difference. Our findings motivate further exploration of the oxytocin system in children with autism spectrum disorder. This could lead to therapeutic options in treating autism spectrum disorder in childhood.

CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study2

No result from this study comes from a test of the peptide.

Natural levels measured2

These results measure the body's own peptide. Nobody was given the peptide. They are not evidence about taking it. They are left out of key results, evidence counts and charts.

01HumanEndogenous levelSystematic reviewOther
In children with autism spectrum disorder, a meta-analysis of 31 studies found lower blood oxytocin levels than in neurotypical children.
In plain wordsIn children with autism, the body's own blood oxytocin levels tended to be lower than in children without autism.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
DecreaseBlood oxytocin in children with ASD
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Neurotypical individuals
Outcome group
Endogenous peptide levels · Endocrine and hormones
Source sentences
Title
Oxytocin levels tend to be lower in autistic children: A meta-analysis of 31 studies.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
With summarizing evidence of 31 studies, this meta-analysis suggests that children with autism spectrum disorder have lower blood oxytocin levels compared to neurotypical individuals.
This result measures the body's own Oxytocin. Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3430867501
02HumanEndogenous levelSystematic reviewOther
In adults with autism spectrum disorder, the meta-analysis found no difference in blood oxytocin levels.
In plain wordsIn adults with autism, no difference in the body's own blood oxytocin levels was found.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
No significant changeBlood oxytocin in adults with ASD
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Neurotypical individuals
Outcome group
Endogenous peptide levels · Endocrine and hormones
Source sentences
Summary
This might not be the case for adults with autism spectrum disorder, where we could not find a difference.
This result measures the body's own Oxytocin. Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3430867502

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Version history

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Version 2Current
9 Oct 2026, 18:17 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
9 Oct 2026, 02:48 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

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