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Maladaptive Behavior and Gastrointestinal Disorders in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Hardiono D Pusponegoro1, Sofyan Ismael1, Sudigdo Sastroasmoro1

  • 1Department of Child Health, Medical School, University of Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia.

Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
|January 16, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Gastrointestinal issues are not linked to maladaptive behavior in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, severe maladaptive behavior in ASD children correlates with increased enterocyte damage, indicated by higher urinary intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP) levels.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Neurodevelopmental Disorders
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder Research

Background:

  • Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are frequently reported in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
  • The relationship between GI factors and maladaptive behaviors in ASD requires further investigation.
  • Potential contributing factors include intestinal microbiota, inflammation, enterocyte damage, and peptide absorption.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between maladaptive behavior severity in children with ASD and various gastrointestinal parameters.
  • To assess GI symptom severity, intestinal microbiota, inflammation, enterocyte damage, permeability, and opioid peptide absorption in relation to maladaptive behavior.

Main Methods:

  • An observational, cross-sectional study comparing children with ASD (aged 2-10) to healthy controls.
  • Maladaptive behavior was assessed using the Pervasive Developmental Disorder Behavior Inventory.
  • Dependent variables included GI symptom severity, fecal calprotectin, urinary D-lactate, lactulose/mannitol ratio, urinary intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP), and urinary opioid peptide excretion.

Main Results:

  • No significant differences were found in GI symptoms, fecal calprotectin, D-lactate, or lactulose/mannitol ratio between ASD subgroups and controls.
  • Urinary opioid peptide excretion was not detected in any participants.
  • Children with ASD exhibiting severe maladaptive behavior showed significantly higher urinary I-FABP levels compared to those with mild maladaptive behavior and controls.

Conclusions:

  • Maladaptive behavior in children with ASD is not associated with general GI symptoms, intestinal inflammation, microbiota, or permeability.
  • Increased enterocyte damage, evidenced by elevated urinary I-FABP, is significantly associated with severe maladaptive behavior in children with ASD.
  • These findings suggest enterocyte damage as a potential factor linked to more severe maladaptive behaviors in ASD.
Abstract

Keywords:
Autism spectrum disorderEnterocyte damageIntestinal inflammationIntestinal permeabilityUrinary opioids

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