[Eating behavior in children with autism spectrum disorder]

Area of Science:

• Child psychology
• Developmental pediatrics
• Clinical neurology

Background:

• Atypical eating behavior (AEB) is a significant concern in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
• Understanding the relationship between AEB and specific ASD variants is crucial for targeted interventions.
• Previous research has highlighted the heterogeneity of ASD and its associated symptoms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the characteristics of AEB across different clinical variants of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
• To establish the association between AEB and specific ASD subtypes.
• To inform prognosis and therapeutic strategies for children with ASD and AEB.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 180 children (aged 2-5 years) diagnosed with Childhood autism, Atypical autism, or Asperger Syndrome and exhibiting AEB were analyzed.
• Patients were categorized into three clinical variants: catatonic-regressive, catatonic, and hyperdynamic.
• Statistical analysis was employed to correlate AEB severity with clinical subtypes and cognitive development.

Main Results:

• Three distinct clinical variants of ASD with AEB were identified: catatonic-regressive (41%), catatonic (45%), and hyperdynamic (13%).
• The catatonic-regressive variant exhibited the most pronounced AEB, while the hyperdynamic variant showed the least.
• A significant association was found between the severity of AEB and the degree of cognitive dysontogenesis.

Conclusions:

• The specific clinical syndrome of ASD is closely linked to the characteristics of AEB.
• The severity of catatonia and regression in ASD directly influences the depth of AEB, potentially leading to secondary somatic disorders.
• Multidisciplinary collaboration among specialists is essential for effective rehabilitation and prevention of somatic complications in children with ASD and AEB.