Evaluation, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Disorders in Individuals With ASDs: A Consensus Report

Buie, Timothy; Campbell, Jerry L.; Fuchs, George J.; Furuta, Glenn T.; Levy, Joseph; VandeWater, Judy; Whitaker, Agnes H.; Atkins, Dan; Bauman, Margaret L.; Beaudet, Arthur L.; Carr, Edward G.; Gershon, Michael D.; Hyman, Susan; Jirapinyo, Pipop; Jyonouchi, Harumi; Kooros, Koorosh; Kushak, Rafail I.; Levitt, Pat; Levy, Susan E.; Lewis, Jeffery D.; Murray, Katherine F.; Natowicz, Marvin R.; Sabrá, Aderbal; Wershil, Barry K.; Weston, Sharon; Zeltzer, Lonnie K.; Winter, Harland S.

doi:10.1542/peds.2009-1878c

Cited by 749 publications

(670 citation statements)

References 73 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

612

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…The current study population reported that 53.1% of the children with ASD experience gastrointestinal problems; other studies have found that the prevalence of gastrointestinal problems in children with ASD ranges from 9% to 70% or higher. 20 Additionally, the sex distribution among the children with ASD (78.4% male), the proportion of sleep problems (49.0%), the history of regression into ASD (61.9%), and the use of CAM (80.9%) were also similar to the findings from other studies. 1,14,19,21 Why do parents turn to CAM treatments for their children with ASD?…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 82%

Use and Perceived Effectiveness of Complementary and Alternative Medicine to Treat and Manage the Symptoms of Autism in Children: A Survey of Parents in a Community Population

Hopf

Madren²,

Santianni³

2016

The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Objective: Parents of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) often try a variety of treatments for their children, including complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). The objective of this study was to improve understanding of the frequency of CAM use by parents for their children with autism and to quantify the parents' perceived effectiveness of various CAM therapies in mitigating the health and functioning problems associated with autism. Methods: Parents in southeastern Virginia were recruited for study participation from local autism organizations and a clinical practice where a large proportion of the patients are children with autism. Parents completed an online survey and answered questions about CAM use for their children with autism, and they rated the perceived effectiveness of each therapy. Results: Of 194 parents surveyed, 80.9% reported that they had tried some form of CAM for their child with autism. Among CAM users, the most frequently used therapies were multivitamins (58.6%), the gluten-free casein-free diet (54.8%), and methyl B-12 injections (54.1%). The CAM therapies that received the highest average rating of effectiveness were sensory integration therapy, melatonin, and off-label use of prescription antifungal medications. Conclusion: CAM therapies were frequently used in this population, and many were perceived to be effective in helping to ease some of the health challenges associated with autism. CAM therapies for the autism population should be further studied in well-controlled clinical research settings to provide safety and efficacy data on treatments, as well as validated treatment options for those with ASD.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 82%

Use and Perceived Effectiveness of Complementary and Alternative Medicine to Treat and Manage the Symptoms of Autism in Children: A Survey of Parents in a Community Population

Hopf

Madren²,

Santianni³

2016

The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…23 At the present time, the true prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) disorders in ASD is largely unknown, with estimations ranging from 9% to 70% or higher. 24 Evidence-based guidelines for the evaluation of GI symptoms are not yet available for individuals with ASD. However, recently, 8 experienced gastroenterologists reviewed the current literature and published guidelines regarding GI symptoms that frequently occur in the general pediatric population.…”

Section: Gastrointestinal Disordersmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition, these guidelines also raise awareness of the association of GI disorders with self-injurious behavior and sleep disturbances, and the frequent atypical presentation of GI dysfunction in individuals with ASD. 22,24 Although some ASD persons present with symptoms that are easily recognized by most healthcare providers, many others may not. As previously noted, atypical behaviors may include chest tapping, facial grimacing, and intermittent gulping, chewing on nonedible objects, including shirts and sleeves, constant eating or drinking, seeking of abdominal pressure, aggressions, and selfinjurious behaviors to name just a few.…”

Section: Gastrointestinal Disordersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Medical Comorbidities in Autism: Challenges to Diagnosis and Treatment

2010

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Summary:Ever since its original description by Leo Kanner in l943, autism has been generally defined by its clinical characteristics and core symptoms that include impaired social skills, isolated areas of interest, and delayed and disordered language. Over time, it has become apparent that autism is a heterogeneous disorder with regard to its clinical presentation, etiology, underlying neurobiology, and degree of severity. As a result, the termed diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) has come into common usage. With advancements in clinical care, there has come the appreciation that many ASD children, adolescents, and adults may have medically relevant disorders that may negatively impact their developmental progress and behavior, but which frequently go undetected. Many of these medical conditions are treatable, often resulting in improved developmental gains and quality of life for the patient and family. In addition, the possibility exists that some of these medical conditions may suggest the presence of important genetic and/or biologic markers, which, if identified, can refine our ability to be more precise in categorizing clinical and genetic subtypes within the autism spectrum.

show abstract

“…After 78 years of age, head growth slows down to below normal; (iv) ASD is a systemic disorder, with many patients displaying macrosomy [55], gastrointestinal symptoms [11], and immune abnormalities [10,97];…”

Section: Conclusion: Clinical and Research Perspectivesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These anomalies would later result in reduced long-distance neuronal connectivity, yielding a "dysconnection syndrome" [5,6]. However, until recently it was believed that only specific brain regions were affected in autistic individuals, while increasing evidence shows that autism is a systemic disease involving not only the central nervous system (CNS), but also other organs, such as the gut, and the immune system [7][8][9][10][11].…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%