Nutritional status survey of children with autism and typically developing children aged 4–6 years in Heilongjiang Province, China

Abstract

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disability that may affect nutritional management of children with autism. This study aimed to compare the nutritional status of children with autism with that of typically developing children (aged 4–6 years) in China. Nutritional status was assessed by means of nutritional data, anthropometric data, biochemical assessment, physical examination for nutrient deficiencies and providing a questionnaire to parents. A total of fifty-three children with autism and fifty-three typically developing children were enrolled in this study. The parents were asked to complete the questionnaire regarding the eating behaviour and gastrointestinal symptoms of their children. They were also asked to provide a 3 d food diary. Children with autism exhibited several abnormalities in terms of eating behaviour and gastrointestinal symptoms. The levels of vitamins A and B6, Zn and Ca intakes were <80 % of the dietary reference intakes in both groups. In addition, the proportions of vitamin C and Ca intake deficiencies in the autism group were significantly higher than those in the control group. Serum Zn level was less than the normal reference range in both the groups. Serum Ca, vitamin A and folate levels in children with autism were significantly lower when compared with children without autism. According to the anthropometric data, the mean BMI, weight-for-height Z-score (ZWH) and BMI for age Z-score (ZBMIA) of children with autism were significantly higher than those of the typically developing children. Thus, nutritional inadequacies were observed in children with autism and typically developing children in China, which were, however, more pronounced among children with autism.

Study On Serum Magnesium, Calcium And Iron In Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Children

“…This study also showed that serum calcium levels were significantly lower in the study group than in the control group. These findings are consistant with the findings that were observed by El-Ansary et al, Al-Farsi et al, Yasuda et al, Meguid et al and Sun et al 18,14,36,21,37 . Surprisingly, 55% of children of the study groupwere found abnormally low serum calcium levels.…”

Analysis of Dietary Intake and Nutritional Status in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

“…Xia et al reported that DRI requirements for Vitamins A, B6, C, folic acid, calcium, and zinc were not met in their study of 111 children between ages 2 and 9 years [9]. Additional studies report inadequate dietary intake for a number of nutrients, including B vitamins, vitamin D, vitamin C, iron, and calcium [5,6,[16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23].…”

“…They tend to prefer sameness and routine, which can result in a severely limited diet [30]. Children with ASD are also known to experience gastrointestinal complaints such as constipation, diarrhea, bloating, and cramping, which could impact the absorption and utilization of nutrients [7,21,31,32]. Together, these factors can influence a child's willingness and ability to consume an adequate number and variety of nutrients to meet their daily needs.…”

Vitamin A Deficiency Induces Autistic‐Like Behaviors in Rats by Regulating the RARβ‐CD38‐Oxytocin Axis in the Hypothalamus

“…Although VA is indispensable during embryonic development, it remains unclear whether gestational VAD could be a risk factor for ASD. Some studies have reported that children with ASD consume less than the recommended amounts of certain nutrients from food, such as VA, due to food aversions and stereotyped eating behaviors . Our previous study on nutritional status in ASD children found that the greatest deficiency was observed in VA (77.9%), followed by iron deficiency.…”