Autism in Children Connected with Gastrointestinal Symptoms

Abstract

Autism in children has increased significantly over the last few years. Eating disorders and ailments of the gastrointestinal system are a common affliction among these children. The hypothesis linking the autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and the digestive system with its bacterial microflora based on the concept of the gut-brain axis become very interesting and credible. This axis is a two-way communication between the central nervous system (CNS) and gut innervation. Mechanisms of this dependency include effects of neurological, immunological, and hormonal mediators. Among patients with ASD, mucosal permeability is frequently diagnosed, which may be caused by chronic inflammation. Such inflammation can damage cells of the intestinal membrane. Children with ASD also have a different composition of intestinal and gastric flora compared to healthy ones. Different types of environmental and situational stressors may contribute to the occurrence of gastrointestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, enteritis, as well as increase intestinal permeability and change their bacterial flora. The chapter presents eating disorders and nutritional deficiencies in children with ASD and shows how nutrition during pregnancy can affect ASD symptoms and how to reduce the severity of ASD symptoms through carefully selected nutritional interventions and supplementation.

Exploration of Relationships among Clinical Gastrointestinal Indicators and Social and Sensory Symptom Severity in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

“…In conducting this study, we noted that we were the first study to include diet as a variable together with abdominal pain and stool status as potential clinical indicators of gut microbiome status. Study findings contribute to the growing literature signaling the need to more deeply understand occurrence of GI symptomatology in children with ASD (e.g., [ 55 , 56 , 57 ]), and to understand GI symptomatology in consideration of diet status and its implications in the children’s everyday lives, behaviors, and symptom severity, which in turn impacts parent and family functioning.…”

Impact of Gluten-Free and Casein-Free diet on the quality of life of Autistic children and Adolescents: A Scoping review

“…Additionally, children with autism spectrum disorders are more prone to gastrointestinal (GI) disorders than the general population which can significantly impact their health, learning, and development [13]. Since gastrointestinal disorders may affect the incidence and severity of other symptoms in children with ASD, adequate nutrition is essential and can improve their life comfort and overall health [14]. Various studies suggested that the gluten-free diet may be effective in controlling gastrointestinal issues in children with ASD and improving their behaviour [15].…”