Nutritional Status of Pre-school Children and Determinant Factors of Autism: A Case-Control Study

Abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder triggered by several factors, including those of genetic and environmental nature. ASD can alter communication, behavior, and children's nutritional status, placing them at high risk for nutritional imbalances. Therefore, this study aims to assess preschool autistic children's nutritional status as compared to that of Typically Developing (TD) children of the same age. The study also revealed some of the ASD risk factors among the Jordanian population. It included 52 ASD and 51 TD children (3–6 years), and considered sociodemographic, obstetric, and nutritional factors of the two groups, stratified by gender. Nutritional status was evaluated through a comprehensive questionnaire, 3-day food record, and anthropometric and biochemical measurements. Differences between groups were identified using the chi-square and independent-sample t-test. The logistic regression model was used after the adjustment of confounders to detect an autistic child's determinants. The study showed little difference between ASD and TD children with respect to nutrients' intake inadequacy and biochemical-nutritional deficiencies, but did reveal gender-based differences. Autistic girls were at higher risk of inadequate carbohydrate intake, while autistic boys were at higher risk of inadequate vitamin E, vitamin K, and fluoride compared to TD children. More autistic children had been treated in neonatal care units after birth than had TD children. The regression analysis revealed that lower maternal education level (OR, 12.25; 95% CI, 1.18–126.91), vaginal delivery (OR, 0.273; 95% CI, 0.105–0.712), family history of autism (OR, 0.189; 95% CI, 0.059–0.612), and taking dietary supplements during pregnancy (OR, 4.665; 95% CI, 1.158–18.79) were all determinants of ASD in children. In conclusion, maternal nutrition, postnatal conditions, and nutritional status might be contributors to ASD in children. Pre-school children are at high risk for developing nutritional deficiencies. It is therefore important to maintain optimal nutritional status in pregnant patients, and in children after delivery and during early childhood. Future studies that investigate the role of nutrient deficiencies and nutritional interventions in ASD are necessary. Also required are studies that focus on gender differences in the prevalence of ASD, types and severity of symptoms, and ASD nutrition-related problems.

Nutritional status among children with autism spectrum disorders in Saudi Arabia

“…Children with ASD showed a lower amount of vitamin Children with ASD in Egypt did not meet the recommendation of protein in comparison to children without ASD (Meguid et al, 2017), which is similar to the present study. In contrast, fat intake in children with ASD in Jordan was higher than children without ASD (Alkhalidy et al, 2021). Autistic children had excessive fat consumption compared to healthy children (Marí-Bauset et al, 2017), which is different from the present study.…”

“…In Spain, children with ASD also exhibited a higher intake of iron than children without ASD (Marí-Bauset et al, 2017).Previously, other studies showed that autistic children consumed lower energy and all macronutrients in comparison to children without ASD(Neumeyer et al, 2018; Liu et al, 2016). In contrast to our study, a case-control study found that carbohydrate intake among children with ASD was lower than children without ASD(Alkhalidy et al, 2021). Similar results were reported among children in Spain (Marí-Bauset et al, 2017).…”

“…Prior studies reported a lower consumption of iron and calcium among children with ASD (Barnhill et al, 2018). Similar results were reported byAlkhalidy et al, (2021). In Spain, children with ASD also exhibited a higher intake of iron than children without ASD (Marí-Bauset et al, 2017).Previously, other studies showed that autistic children consumed lower energy and all macronutrients in comparison to children without ASD(Neumeyer et al, 2018; Liu et al, 2016).…”

Correlation Between Serum Concentrations of Menaquinone-4 and Developmental Quotients in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

“…The latest research by Alkhalidy et al ( 31 ) shows that autistic boys were at higher risk of inadequate vitamin K status than TD children. The proportion of boys with ASD with insufficient vitamin K intake was 86.1%, which was significantly higher than that of boys in the TD group (61.5%).…”

Oti̇zm Spektrum Bozukluğu Tanisi Olan Çocuklarda Yeme Davranişi, Obezi̇te Durumu Ve Ai̇leleri̇n Beslenme Konusunda Yaşadiklari Sorunlar

“…Çocuğun mevcut durumuna ve gereksinimlerine uygun şekilde planlanmış bir eliminasyon diyeti, otizm semptomlarının ve ortaya çıkan gastrointestinal bozuklukların giderilmesini sağlayabilir. Bu nedenle ebeveynlerin veya çocuğun bakımından sorumlu olan kişilerin, beslenme tedavisinin yararları ve takibinin önemi konusunda bilinçli olmaları gerektiği bildirilmiştir [9]. OSB'li çocukların ebeveynleri ile yürütülen bir çalışmanın sonuçlarına göre, ebeveynlerin yemek zamanlarında sıklıkla zorluk yaşadıkları ve çocuklarının beslenme alışkanlıkları konusunda endişelendikleri saptanmıştır [10].…”