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Can probiotics benefit children with autism spectrum disorders?
Fernando Navarro1, Yuying Liu1, Jon Marc Rhoads1
1Fernando Navarro, Yuying Liu, Jon Marc Rhoads, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX 77030, United States.
Insights
Probiotics may help improve gut issues and social behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This review explores gut microbiome changes and probiotic potential for treating gastrointestinal symptoms in ASD.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Microbiome Research
Background:
- Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) frequently experience gastrointestinal (GI) problems.
- The gut microbiome is implicated in the pathophysiology of GI disorders and may influence ASD.
- Previous research shows microbial modifications can treat various GI conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review clinical, immunological, and microbiome alterations in children with ASD.
- To discuss GI inflammation, permeability, and absorption issues in ASD.
- To evaluate the potential of probiotics for treating GI symptoms in children with ASD.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical, immunological, and microbiome data in children with ASD.
- Analysis of human and animal studies on probiotics and ASD-related GI issues.
- Discussion of gut inflammation, permeability, and absorption abnormalities.
Main Results:
- Children with ASD exhibit distinct clinical, immunological, and microbiome profiles compared to neurotypical children.
- Gut inflammation, increased permeability, and absorption abnormalities are noted in ASD.
- Evidence suggests probiotics may offer a therapeutic role for GI symptoms in ASD.
Conclusions:
- The gut microbiome plays a significant role in ASD pathophysiology and associated GI symptoms.
- Probiotics show promise as a potential intervention for managing GI problems in children with ASD.
- Further research is warranted to confirm the efficacy and safety of probiotics for ASD-related GI conditions.
Abstract:
Children with autism are commonly affected by gastrointestinal problems such as abdominal pain, constipation and diarrhea. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the use of probiotics in this population, as it hypothetically may help to improve bowel habits and the behavioral and social functioning of these individuals. The gut microbiome plays an important role in the pathophysiology of organic as well as functional gastrointestinal disorders. Microbial modification with the use of antibiotics, probiotics, and fecal transplantation have been effective in the treatment of conditions such as recurrent Clostridium difficile infection, pouchitis, and irritable bowel syndrome. The present review presents a number of reported clinical, immunological and microbiome-related changes seen in children with autism compared to normally developed children. It also discusses gut inflammation, permeability concerns, and absorption abnormalities that may contribute to these problems. Most importantly, it discusses evidence, from human and animal studies, of a potential role of probiotics in the treatment of gastrointestinal symptoms in children with autism.
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