The alleviative remedy effect of Dates’ fruit consumption on severity symptoms of Autism spectrum disorder: A randomized controlled three-month trial

Abstract

Aim To investigate the effectiveness of a 90-day regular consumption of Dates fruit on alleviating autism severity symptoms in 131 Egyptian children aged 3–12 years with confirmed Autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The influence of the baseline and improvement of children’s clinical and laboratory characteristics on this effectiveness was explored. Methodology This study involved a randomized, controlled, double-blind 3-month of dates fruit intake. Cases were randomized into one of the three groups; Group I on 3 pieces of dates’ fruit/day (47 children), Group II on 5 pieces of dates’ fruits/day (42 children), and group III; on non-dates group (42 children). The probiotic levels of lactobacillus and bifidobacterium in stool, blood levels of three oxidative markers; Malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GPX1), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), adaptive behaviors, nutrition, dietary assessment, and anthropometric measurements were assessed before and after the intervention. Results A significant reduction in the mean severity score of CARS (Childhood Autism Rating Scale) and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Ed (DSM-5) was detected for those on dates’ regimens compared to those with non-dates (p < 0.01). The improvement for participants was dose dependent (5 dates’ fruits/day). The improvement was mainly in the social communication and interaction domains. Responders to Dates’ fruit intake as based on DSM-5 diagnosis was detected among 62.9% of the intervention groups. Responders are those who showed significant improvement in the colony counts of Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli levels, BMI z score, and in the ratio levels of both MDA/SOD and MDA/GPX as a result of dates fruit consumption. Non-responders within the intervention groups are those who were at risk of malnutrition (RR = 2.0, 95% CI: 1.1–3.4), obese (RR = 1.9, 95% CI: 1.0-3.5), and those who had a deficiency of the baseline of lactobacillus Spp (RR = 2.2, 95% CI: 1.1–4.4). Conclusion Dates’ fruit (a non-pharmacological and risk-free option) due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory effect is recommended for autistic children as adjuvant therapy daily to achieve consistent improvement. This study was registered at the US National Institutes of Health (ClinicalTrials.gov) # NCT04261595, with Protocol ID: 12060158, the first registration date was 10/02/2020.