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Clinical protocol for nutritional screening in autism (PANA): a cross-sectional study protocol
Juliana Dos Santos Vaz1,2, Sandra Costa Valle1,2, Eduarda De Souza Silva1
1Graduate Program in Nutrition and Foods, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
BMJ Open
|April 30, 2025
Summary
This study protocol outlines a standardized method to assess nutritional status in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), addressing feeding issues and biochemical markers for better health outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
- Clinical Study Design
Background:
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) frequently presents with comorbidities, including significant feeding difficulties.
- These dietary challenges can result in malnutrition, obesity, and dyslipidemia in affected individuals.
- Existing research on nutritional intake in ASD is limited by a lack of standardized assessment protocols, leading to inconsistent findings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe a standardized clinical protocol for assessing nutritional aspects in children and adolescents with ASD.
- To evaluate feeding behavior, food intake, anthropometric measurements, and biochemical variables.
- To provide a foundation for future research investigating associations between clinical, dietary, nutritional, and biochemical factors in ASD.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study design involving children and adolescents with ASD aged 2 to under 19 years.
- Assessment by a team of dietitians across three clinical steps, including validated questionnaires for feeding behavior and eating patterns.
- Collection of 3-day food records, anthropometric measurements (WHO standards), and blood samples for lipid and glucose analysis.
Main Results:
- The protocol enables comprehensive data collection on nutritional status in ASD.
- Data will support descriptive and multivariate analyses to identify correlations between various health indicators.
- Standardized methodology aims to reduce heterogeneity in future research findings.
Conclusions:
- This protocol provides a robust framework for the nutritional assessment of children and adolescents with ASD.
- Standardized assessment is crucial for understanding and addressing the complex nutritional challenges in this population.
- Dissemination through publications and conferences will facilitate wider adoption and impact.
