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Randomized controlled trial of transdermal secretin on behavior of children with autism
Karen Ratliff-Schaub1, Tracy Carey, Gretchen Dahl Reeves
1Columbus Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio 43205, USA.
Insights
Transdermal secretin did not significantly improve autism symptoms in children. Speech improvement was noted only in children not taking other medications during the secretin treatment phase.
Area of Science:
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
Background:
- Previous secretin trials for autism used intravenous administration.
- Transdermal secretin offers a novel, non-invasive delivery method.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of transdermally administered secretin in children with autism or pervasive developmental delay.
- To assess behavioral outcomes using the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist.
Main Methods:
- Double-blind, randomized, controlled crossover trial.
- 15 children with autism or PDD received daily transdermal secretin or placebo ointment for 4-week periods, separated by a 6-week washout.
- Behavioral outcomes assessed by parents and teachers.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant differences in overall speech, sociability, sensory, or health scores between secretin and placebo.
- No differences observed in children with a history of diarrhea.
- Children on concomitant medications had greater autism severity at baseline.
- Speech improvement (p=0.0479) occurred only in children not using other medications.
Conclusions:
- Transdermal secretin was not found to be significantly effective for core autism symptoms in this trial.
- Potential benefits in speech may exist for a subgroup of children not concurrently treated with other medications.
Abstract:
Previous trials of secretin for the treatment of autism have utilized a single or double dose administered intravenously. This is a report of a double-blind, randomized, controlled crossover trial of transdermally applied secretin in 15 children diagnosed with autism or pervasive developmental delay. Secretin or placebo was applied daily, in ointment form, to the backs of the children in randomized, successive 4 week periods with an intermediate 6 week washout period. Behavioral outcomes were measured by parents and teachers using the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist. Overall, there were no statistically significant differences in speech, sociability, sensory, and health scores for treatment versus placebo periods. In addition, there were no differences in such scores for children with a history of diarrhea. Severity of autism was significantly greater at baseline in children receiving concomitant medications. Improvement in speech was found during the treatment phase of the trial (p=0.0479 for secretin versus placebo) only in children not using other medications.
