Feeding problems, age of introduction of complementary food and autism symptom in children with autism spectrum disorder

Abstract

In this cross-sectional study, 84 children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and 77 healthy subjects showing typical development (TD) were reviewed. Parents reviewed the age of introduction of complementary foods (CFs), completed a demographic, diet behavior questionnaire and the Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC). The results showed that the age of introduction of CFs was later in children with ASD than their TD counterparts. The age of introduction of CFs in ASD group was positively correlated with feeding problem. While the correlation was not observed in TD group. Children in the ASD group had higher total scores of the diet behavior questionnaire and all four subdomains (poor eating ability, mealtime eating behavior, food selectivity, and parental feeding behavior). ASD symptoms were clearly associated with feeding problems. The sensory subdomain score in ABC was positively correlated with poor eating ability, mealtime behavior and total score of the diet behavior questionnaire. The social self-care subdomain score was positively correlated with food selectivity. The interaction subdomain score was negative correlated with parental feeding behavior and total score of the diet behavior questionnaire. Further studies are required to establish the utility of delayed CFs introduction and/or early feeding problems as potential indicators of ASD.

Correlation between 5-HT, Hcy and the incidence and severity of autism in children

“…Hcy is metabolized by the methylation pathway and sulfur transversion pathway, and the methylation pathway is related to the vitamin B12 helper enzyme, which forms S-adenosylmethionine under the action of S-adenosylmethionine synthetase; The sulfur transfer pathway is cystathionine synthetase to form cystathionine, and then cysteine. The growth of Hcy can produce oxygen free radicals (23) and hydrogen peroxide, and can also inhibit the activities of other antioxidant enzymes and promote lipid peroxidation. Therefore, a higher Hcy level will lead to autism, and the serum Hcy level of autistic children will be higher than that of normal children, which is consistent with the results of this study (24).…”

The Impact of Caregiver Pressure to Eat on Food Neophobia in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…According to studies [16,17], over 60% of parents expressed worries about their child's development and nutrition. Children with ASD also tend to eat under stress and are more likely to use inappropriate feeding techniques [18,19], such as authoritarian, permissive, and emotional feeding [20][21][22]. On the other hand, shared dishes have always been the core of the family.…”