Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 24, 2025
Video Imaging and Spatiotemporal Maps to Analyze Gastrointestinal Motility in Mice
Published on: February 3, 2016
Association between pica and gastrointestinal symptoms in preschoolers with and without autism spectrum disorder:
Victoria L Fields1, Gnakub N Soke2, Ann Reynolds3
1Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, USA; National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
Background:
Pica, the repeated ingestion of nonfood items, can result in gastrointestinal (GI) outcomes. Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities (DDs) are disproportionately affected by both pica and GI symptoms. Study of the inter-relationship between pica, GI symptoms, and ASD/DD is limited.
Objective/Hypothesis:
We assessed associations between pica and GI symptoms in preschool-aged children with and without ASD and other (non-ASD) DDs in the Study to Explore Early Development.
Methods:
Our sample included children with ASD (n = 1244), other DDs (n = 1593), and population (POP) controls (n = 1487). Data to define final case-control status, pica, and GI symptoms were from standardized developmental assessments/questionnaires. Prevalence ratios, adjusted for sociodemographic factors (aPRs), and 95% confidence intervals were derived from modified Poisson regression.
Results:
Within each group (ASD, DD, POP) and for the total sample, pica was associated with vomiting (aPR for total sample 2.6 [1.7, 4.0]), diarrhea (1.8 [1.4, 2.2]), and loose stools (1.8 [1.4, 2.2]). In the DD group, pica was associated with constipation (1.4 [1.03, 1.9]) and pain on stooling (1.8 [1.2, 2.6]). In analyses of the subgroup without pica, increases in GI symptoms were still evident in the ASD and DD groups compared to POP group.
Conclusion:
These findings highlight an important adverse effect of pica, GI symptoms, in children with and without ASD and DDs; nonetheless, pica does not fully explain the increased risk for GI symptoms among children with ASD and DDs. These findings inform the specialized healthcare needs of children with ASD and other DDs.
More Related Videos
09:13Testing Sensory and Multisensory Function in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Published on: April 22, 2015
10:11Portable Intermodal Preferential Looking IPL: Investigating Language Comprehension in Typically Developing Toddlers and Young Children with Autism
Published on: December 14, 2012
Related Concept Videos
01:19Autism Spectrum Disorder
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
01:14Piaget's Stage 1 of Cognitive Development
Exploration...
01:25Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development from Childhood into Adulthood
Schemata: Building Blocks of Knowledge
01:30Irritable Bowel Syndrome II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Evaluation
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is classified into subtypes based on the predominant bowel habits as determined by the Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS). The subtypes are:
01:29Assessment of the Gastrointestinal System II: Health Perception Pattern
Health Perception Patterns
Health perception patterns offer valuable insights into a patient's lifestyle habits and how they may impact their GI health. These patterns include:
01:30Bulimia Nervosa