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Autism and gastrointestinal symptoms
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 22 South Greene Street, N5W70, Box 140, Baltimore, MD 21201-1595, USA.
Insights
Gastrointestinal issues like inflammation and dysfunction are common in children with autism. Addressing these digestive problems may positively impact autistic behaviors, highlighting the importance of the brain-gut connection.
Area of Science:
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Gastroenterology
- Pediatric Health
Background:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by social interaction and communication deficits.
- Commonly associated with restrictive, repetitive behaviors, ASD typically emerges within the first three years of life.
- The exact etiology of autism remains unknown, prompting extensive research into its biological underpinnings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and nature of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in children diagnosed with autism.
- To explore potential biological mechanisms linking GI dysfunction to autism.
- To examine the impact of addressing digestive issues on autistic behaviors.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent clinical studies focusing on the gastrointestinal health of children with autism.
- Assessment of inflammatory markers in the upper and lower intestinal tracts.
- Evaluation of liver sulfation capacity, intestinal permeability, and digestive enzyme activity.
Main Results:
- A high prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms, inflammation, and dysfunction was observed in children with autism.
- Findings included mild to moderate intestinal inflammation, decreased liver sulfation capacity, and altered intestinal permeability.
- Reduced digestive enzyme activities were also reported in a significant number of children with autism.
Conclusions:
- Gastrointestinal dysfunction is frequently observed in children with autism.
- Interventions targeting digestive problems show potential for improving autistic behaviors.
- Further research into the brain-gut connection is warranted to understand and manage autism effectively.
Abstract:
Autism is a collection of behavioral symptoms characterized by dysfunction in social interaction and communication in affected children. It is typically associated with restrictive, repetitive, and stereotypic behavior and manifests within the first 3 years of life. The cause of this disorder is not known. Over the past decade, a significant upswing in research has occurred to examine the biologic basis of autism. Recent clinical studies have revealed a high prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms, inflammation, and dysfunction in children with autism. Mild to moderate degrees of inflammation were found in both the upper and lower intestinal tract. In addition, decreased sulfation capacity of the liver, pathologic intestinal permeability, increased secretory response to intravenous secretin injection, and decreased digestive enzyme activities were reported in many children with autism. Treatment of digestive problems appears to have positive effects on autistic behavior. These new observations represent only a piece of the unsolved autism "puzzle" and should stimulate more research into the brain-gut connection.