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No evidence for a clear link between active intestinal inflammation and autism based on analyses of faecal

Elisabeth Fernell1, Ulrika L Fagerberg, Per M Hellström

  • 1Department of Neuropaediatrics, Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Solna, 171 76 Stockholm, Sweden. elisabeth.fernell@karolinska.se

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|May 1, 2007
PubMed

Insights

This study investigated intestinal inflammation in children with autism using two markers. Results showed no evidence linking autism to active gut inflammation in most children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Neurodevelopmental Disorders
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Parental concerns exist regarding bowel habits in children with autism.
  • The potential association between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intestinal inflammation is under investigation.
  • Inflammatory markers may offer insights into gastrointestinal issues in ASD.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze two key inflammatory markers in children diagnosed with autism.
  • To explore a potential link between autism and active intestinal inflammation.
  • To address parental concerns about bowel irregularities in autistic children.

Main Methods:

  • Investigated 24 children with autism (ages 3-13) of unknown etiology.
  • Measured fecal calprotectin and rectal nitric oxide (NO) levels.
  • Utilized two independent markers to assess gut inflammatory reactions.

Main Results:

  • One child with a history of severe Clostridium difficile infection showed elevated markers.
  • Another child with severe constipation had elevated fecal calprotectin.
  • The majority of children exhibited results not indicative of active intestinal inflammation.

Conclusions:

  • No evidence was found to support a link between autism and active intestinal inflammation.
  • Rectal nitric oxide (NO) and fecal calprotectin did not indicate a connection in this cohort.
  • Further research may be needed to fully understand gut-brain axis interactions in autism.
Abstract

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