Vitamin D status in autism spectrum disorders and the efficacy of vitamin D supplementation in autistic children

Objectives: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder characterized by pervasive deficits in social interaction, impairment in verbal and non-verbal communication, and stereotyped patterns of interests and activities. Vitamin-D deficiency was previously reported in autistic children. However, the data on the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and the severity of autism are limited.

Methods: We performed a case–controlled cross-sectional analysis conducted on 122 ASD children, to assess their vitamin D status compared to controls and the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and the severity of autism. We also conducted an open trial of vitamin D supplementation in ASD children.

Results: Fifty-seven percent of the patients in the present study had vitamin D deficiency, and 30% had vitamin D insufficiency. The mean 25-OHD levels in patients with severe autism were significantly lower than those in patients with mild/moderate autism. Serum 25-OHD levels had significant negative correlations with Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) scores. Of the ASD group, 106 patients with low-serum 25-OHD levels (<30?ng/ml) participated in the open label trial. They received vitamin D3 (300?IU/kg/day not to exceed 5000 IU/day) for 3 months. Eighty-three subjects completed 3 months of daily vitamin D treatment. Collectively, 80.72% (67/83) of subjects who received vitamin D3 treatment had significantly improved outcome, which was mainly in the sections of the CARS and aberrant behavior checklist subscales that measure behavior, stereotypy, eye contact, and attention span.

Conclusion: Vitamin D is inexpensive, readily available and safe. It may have beneficial effects in ASD subjects, especially when the final serum level is more than 40?ng/ml.

Trial registration number: UMIN-CTR Study Design: trial Number: R000016846.     

Clinical improvement following vitamin D3 supplementation in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Objective: High prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was previously reported in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), but little is known about the efficacy of vitamin D3 treatment in ASD, although data from pilot studies seem promising. We hypothesized that serum vitamin D levels are reduced in ASD and correlate with the severity of disease. Also, we hypothesized that vitamin D3 treatment may be beneficial for a considerable portion of children with ASD.

Methods: In total, 215 children with ASD and 285 healthy control children were recruited in our study. Thirty seven of 215 ASD children received vitamin D3 treatment. The Autism Behaviour Checklist (ABC) and the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) were used to assess autism symptoms. High-performance liquid chromatography was used to assess the serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH) D] level. Evaluations of ABC, CARS, and serum 25(OH) D levels were performed before and after 3 months of treatment.

Results: Serum levels of 25(OH) D were significantly lower in ASD children than typically developing children. Levels of serum 25(OH) D were negatively correlated with ABC total scores and language subscale scores. After vitamin D3 supplementation, symptom scores were significantly reduced on the CARS and ABC. In addition, the data also suggest that treatment effects were more pronounced in younger children with ASD.

Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency might contribute to the aetiology of ASD. Supplementation of vitamin D3, which is a safe and cost-effective form of treatment, may significantly improve the outcome of some children with ASD, especially younger children (identifier ChiCTR-CCC-13004498).

Clinical Trial Registration: The trial ‘Association of Polymorphisms of Vitamin D Metabolism-Related Genes With Autism and the Treatment of Autism with Vitamin D’ has been registered at www.chictr.org/cn/proj/show.aspx? proj=6135 (identifier ChiCTR-CCC-13004498).     

The role of probiotics in children with autism spectrum disorder: A prospective,open-label study

Objective: There are limited data on the efficacy of probiotics in children with ASD, therefore, this study aims to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of probiotics in an Egyptian cohort of children with ASD.

Methods: Gastrointestinal (GI) flora were assessed by quantitative real-time PCR of stool samples of 30 autistic children from 5 to 9 years old. GI symptoms of autistic children were assessed with a modified six-item Gastrointestinal Severity Index (6-GSI) questionnaire, and autistic symptoms were assessed with Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) before and after 3 months of supplementation of probiotics nutritional supplement formula (each gram contains 100?×?10⁶ colony forming units of three probiotic strains; Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Bifidobacteria longum).

Results: After probiotic supplementation, the stool PCR of autistic children showed increases in the colony counts of Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli levels, with a significant reduction in their body weight as well as significant improvements in the severity of autism (assessed by the ATEC), and gastrointestinal symptoms (assessed by the 6-GSI) compared to the baseline evaluated at the start of the study.

Conclusions: We concluded that probiotics have beneficial effects on both behavioral and GI manifestations of ASD. Probiotics (a non-pharmacological and relatively risk-free option) could be recommended for children with ASD as an adjuvant therapy. At this stage, this study is a single center with a small number of patients and a great deal of additional wide-scale randomized controlled trials are needed to critically confirm the efficacy of probiotics in ASD.

Trial registration number: UMIN-CTR Study Design: Trial Number UMIN000026157     

BDNF基因二核苷酸多态性与儿童孤独症的关系

目的:探讨BDNF基因二核苷酸多态性的等位基因及基因型与儿童孤独症的关系。方法:按照ICD-10及CCMD-3的儿童孤独症诊断标准,以儿童孤独症评定量表、孤独症行为检查量表、儿童适应行为评定量表及儿童生长发育调查记录表作为评估、调查工具,在华西医院心理卫生中心门诊收集75例儿童孤独症患者的临床资料。根据儿童孤独症的神经发育障碍假说,以儿童孤独症为研究对象,进行神经发育相关的BDNF基因的二核苷酸重复多态性位点的检测,用SPSS11.0进行统计分析。结果:含二核苷酸重复多态性的A1(174bp)等位基因与儿童孤独症的社会交往因子呈负相关,而含A3(170bp)等位基因与之呈正相关,患者的适应水平也受到相应影响。结论:二核苷酸重复多态性的A1等位基因可能对孤独症的症状表达具有抑制作用,而A3等位基因对孤独症的症状表达有促发作用,并且影响儿童孤独症患者的社会适应水平。     

Maternal breastfeeding and autism spectrum disorder in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objectives: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) refers to a group of conditions variably affecting communicative and social interactive abilities presenting alongside behaviors with various restricted and repetitive patterns. In addition to genetic factors that influence the onset of the symptoms, there is growing interest in the potential involvement of non-genetic environmental factors. Some aspects of breastfeeding practices, including rates, timing, or optimality, have been put forward as environmental risk factors for autism. However, previous studies showed a controversial relationship between ASD and breastfeeding.

Methods: A meta-analysis on the association between maternal breastfeeding and ASD in children was conducted. We also explored potential moderating factors which might influence this association. Articles reporting the association between breastfeeding and a diagnosis of ASD were included.

Results: Seven articles were included in the meta-analysis. Cumulatively, children with ASD (n?=?1463), either in the form of clinical diagnosis or self-report, were significantly less likely to have been breastfed than children without ASD (n?=?1180) (OR?=?0.61, 95% CI?=?0.45–0.83, P?=?0.002). Subgroup analyses revealed that results remained significant for children who were breastfed with additional supplementation.

Discussion: This meta-analysis provides evidence that breastfeeding (exclusively or including additional supplements) may protect against ASD. Prospective longitudinal research is required to disentangle the complex relationships and to explore potential pathophysiological mechanisms.     

孤独谱系障碍患儿消化道症状与行为表现关系分析

目的 分析孤独谱系障碍(ASD)患儿消化道症状的检出率及消化道症状与行为表现之间的关系,为ASD的干预治疗提供新的思路。方法 根据精神疾病诊断及统计手册第5版的诊断标准,选取2017年1月-2019年12月在江苏大学附属医院儿科儿童康复中心就诊的ASD患儿112例,选取正常儿童100例作为对照组。采用儿童孤独谱系障碍评定量表(CARS)、孤独谱系障碍儿童行为检查量表(ABC)对ASD患儿进行症状评估,采用Gesell发育量表(GDS)对ASD患儿进行发育评估,采用问卷调查儿童的消化道症状与行为表现。结果 ASD组消化道症状检出率显著高于对照组(72.3% vs.24.0%,χ²=33.012,P＜0.001)。将ASD患儿分为有消化道症状组(62例)和无消化道症状组(50例),两组间GDS、CARS和ABC评分比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);有消化道症状组情绪问题、行为问题(伤人/自伤)、重复刻板行为问题以及总评分明显高于无消化道症状组(t=4.868、4.101、4.812、5.968,P<0.001)。结论 ASD患儿消化道症状发生率明显高于正常儿童,有消化道症状比无消化道症状的ASD患儿具有更严重的情绪和行为问题,提示临床干预消化道症状可能对ASD患儿的康复有重要意义。     

孤独谱系障碍患儿消化道症状与行为表现关系分析

目的 分析孤独谱系障碍(ASD)患儿消化道症状的检出率及消化道症状与行为表现之间的关系,为ASD的干预治疗提供新的思路。方法 根据精神疾病诊断及统计手册第5版的诊断标准,选取2017年1月-2019年12月在江苏大学附属医院儿科儿童康复中心就诊的ASD患儿112例,选取正常儿童100例作为对照组。采用儿童孤独谱系障碍评定量表(CARS)、孤独谱系障碍儿童行为检查量表(ABC)对ASD患儿进行症状评估,采用Gesell发育量表(GDS)对ASD患儿进行发育评估,采用问卷调查儿童的消化道症状与行为表现。结果 ASD组消化道症状检出率显著高于对照组(72.3% vs.24.0%,χ²=33.012,P＜0.001)。将ASD患儿分为有消化道症状组(62例)和无消化道症状组(50例),两组间GDS、CARS和ABC评分比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);有消化道症状组情绪问题、行为问题(伤人/自伤)、重复刻板行为问题以及总评分明显高于无消化道症状组(t=4.868、4.101、4.812、5.968,P<0.001)。结论 ASD患儿消化道症状发生率明显高于正常儿童,有消化道症状比无消化道症状的ASD患儿具有更严重的情绪和行为问题,提示临床干预消化道症状可能对ASD患儿的康复有重要意义。     

Gluten- and casein-free diet and autism spectrum disorders in children: a systematic review

Purpose

Effective treatments for core symptoms of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are lacking. We systematically updated evidence on the effectiveness of a gluten-free and casein-free (GFCF) diet as a treatment for ASD in children.

Methods

The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, and EMBASE databases were searched up until August 2016, for randomized controlled trials (RCTs); additional references were obtained from reviewed articles.

Results

Six RCTs (214 participants) were included. With few exceptions, there were no statistically significant differences in autism spectrum disorder core symptoms between groups, as measured by standardized scales. One trial found that compared with the control group, in the GFCF diet group there were significant improvements in the scores for the ‘communication’ subdomain of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule and for the ‘social interaction’ subdomain of the Gilliam Autism Rating Scale. Another trial found significant differences between groups in the post-intervention scores for the ‘autistic traits’, ‘communication’, and ‘social contact’ subdomains of a standardized Danish scheme. The remaining differences, if present, referred to parent-based assessment tools or other developmental/ASD-related features. No adverse events associated with a GFCF diet were reported.

Conclusions

Overall, there is little evidence that a GFCF diet is beneficial for the symptoms of ASD in children.

     

孤独症谱系障碍儿童触觉异常特征与临床症状的关联

  目的  探索孤独症谱系障碍(ASD)儿童是否存在明显的触觉异常以及触觉异常与孤独症临床症状之间的相关性,为孤独症触觉异常的干预治疗提供科学依据。  方法  收集在黑龙江省孤独症定点康复机构接受康复训练的265例3.02~10.66岁ASD儿童作为病例组,并依据性别年龄匹配原则,在哈尔滨市幼儿园和小学招募223名3.15~10.99岁健康儿童作为对照组。采用简化版感觉特征问卷(SSP)评估儿童的触觉行为,同时采用社交反应量表(SRS)等评估ASD儿童的临床表现,应用Spearman相关性分析探索触觉行为与孤独症症状之间的关联。  结果  ASD组儿童SSP触觉得分[33(33, 35)分]低于对照组[34(31, 35)分],差异有统计学意义(Z=-2.73,P<0.05);ASD组触觉异常等级(可能异常、明显异常)比例(19.6%)高于对照组(11.7%)(χ2=5.72,P<0.05)。两组男童SSP触觉得分差异有统计学意义(Z=-2.17,P<0.05)。ASD组SSP触觉得分与SRS社交认知、社交沟通和量表总分,儿童孤独症家长评定量表(ABC)、孤独症行为量表(CARS)、孤独症诊断访谈量表修订版(ADI-R)临床量表非语言沟通水平得分呈负相关(r值分别为-0.23,-0.28,-0.28,-0.35,-0.17,-0.27,P值均<0.05)。  结论  孤独症儿童较健康儿童存在更为明显的触觉异常表现,且在男童中更为显著。触觉异常与孤独症社交障碍等临床表现之间存在相关性。     

以DSM系统和ABC量表角度来看孤独症症状变化

目的了解孤独症患儿的症状特点,进一步理解DSM-Ⅴ的孤独谱系障碍(autism spectrum disorder,ASD)的诊断标准。方法对经DSM-Ⅳ诊断的466例孤独症患儿进行ABC评估,分析DSM-Ⅳ、ABC各个条目阳性率、不同性别及年龄段的阳性率。结果 1)466例孤独症患儿中,DSM-Ⅳ社交缺陷、言语缺陷、行为、功能延迟中,阳性率最高分别为95.3%,84.8%,79.8%,92.9%。5个条目存在年龄差异,2个条目存在性别差异,男性均高于女性。2)只有263名符合DSM-Ⅴ中社会交流和社会交往缺陷的标准。3)在ABC的57个条目中,阳性率最高的条目是38,占94%,最低的是条目34,占34.2%;男女生在第27条存在差异。结论使用DSM-Ⅴ之后,ASD诊断可能会下降,随着年龄增长,患者的社交和言语可能好转,但是行为问题表现更差,性别可能不是影响症状的原因。     

母亲孕期被动吸烟和补充叶酸与其子女孤独症行为的交互作用

目的 探讨母亲孕期被动吸烟和补充叶酸与儿童孤独症行为的交互作用。方法 以2014年深圳市龙华新区新入园的小班（3岁）儿童为研究对象,由家长填写问卷,询问儿童年龄、性别、早产、低出生体重、父母学历、父母生育年龄、家庭收入等,用孤独症行为量表评估儿童孤独症行为,按筛检界值31分和诊断界值62分将儿童分为正常组（<31分）、亚临床组（31～61分）和疑似临床组（≥62分）。控制混杂因素后,采用多分类logistic回归模型,分析孕期母亲被动吸烟和补充叶酸对儿童孤独症行为的主效应和交互作用。结果 孕期母亲被动吸烟与儿童孤独症行为呈正相关（亚临床组：OR=1.48,P<0.05;疑似临床组：OR=2.85,P<0.05）,孕期母亲补充叶酸与儿童孤独症行为的关联无统计学意义（亚临床组：OR=1.04,P>0.05;疑似临床组：OR=0.75,P>0.05）。分层分析显示,孕期母亲未被动吸烟的儿童中,孕期母亲补充叶酸与儿童孤独症行为呈负关联（疑似临床组：OR=0.30,P<0.05）;孕期母亲补充叶酸的儿童中,孕期母亲被动吸烟与儿童孤独症行为显著正关联（亚临床组：OR=1.52,P<0.05;疑似临床组：OR=4.45,P<0.05）。进一步交互作用分析显示,孕期母亲被动吸烟和补充叶酸对儿童孤独症行为疑似临床组的交互作用明显（OR=5.30,P<0.05）。结论 孕期母亲被动吸烟和补充叶酸与儿童孤独症行为关联,且存在交互作用。     

Vitamin supplementation reduces the level of homocysteine in the urine of autistic children

Significant differences in homocysteine levels in the urine of autistic children are observed. We hypothesized that vitamin supplementation might reduce the level of urinary homocysteine. To rationalize such a hypothesis, analyses were performed using the gas chromatography/mass spectrometry method. The homocysteine level in the urine of autistic children was measured twice: (1) before vitamin supplementation (group C, 30 autistic children) and (2) after supplementation, with either folic acid and vitamins B₆ and B₁₂ (group A1, 24 autistic children) or vitamins B₆ and B₁₂ alone (group A2, 6 autistic children). The homocysteine level in the urine of autistic children before vitamin supplementation was 2.41 ± 1.10 mmol/mol creatinine (mean ± SD difference). After treatment, the homocysteine level was reduced to 1.13 ± 0.44 and 1.33 ± 0.39 mmol/mol creatinine for A1 and A2 groups, respectively. The intake of vitamins B₆ and B₁₂, together with folic acid, was found to be more effective in lowering the levels of urinary homocysteine than the intake of vitamins B₆ and B₁₂ alone. Our findings may lead to the recommendation of including vitamins B₆ and B₁₂ together with folic acid supplementation in the diets of children with autism.     

Beliefs in vaccine as causes of autism among SPARK cohort caregivers

BackgroundFear of autism has led to a decline in childhood-immunization uptake and to a resurgence of preventable infectious diseases. Identifying characteristics of parents who believe in a causal role of vaccines for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in their child may help targeting educational activities and improve adherence to the immunization schedule.ObjectivesTo compare caregivers of children with ASD who agree or disagree that vaccines play an etiological role in autism for 1) socio-demographics characteristics and 2) developmental and clinical profiles of their children.MethodsData from 16,525 participants with ASD under age 18 were obtained from SPARK, a national research cohort started in 2016. Caregivers completed questionnaires at registration that included questions on beliefs about the etiologic role of childhood immunizations and other factors in ASD. Data were available about family socio-demographic characteristics, first symptoms of autism, developmental regression, co-occurring psychiatric disorders, seizures, and current levels of functioning.ResultsParticipants with ASD were 80.4% male with a mean age of 8.1 years (SD = 4.1). Overall, 16.5% of caregivers endorsed immunizations as perceived causes of autism. Compared to caregivers who disagreed with vaccines as a cause for ASD, those who believed in vaccine causation came disproportionately from ethnic minority, less educated, and less wealthy backgrounds. More often their children had experienced developmental regression involving language and other skills, were diagnosed earlier, had lost skills during the second year of life, and had worse language, adaptive, and cognitive outcomes.ConclusionOne in six caregivers who participate in a national research cohort believe that child immunizations could be a cause of autism in their child. Parent social background (non-White, less educated) and child developmental features (regression in second year, poorer language skills, and worse adaptive outcomes) index caregivers who are more likely to harbor these beliefs and could benefit from targeted educational activities.     

感觉统合训练治疗低功能孤独症儿童的多因素疗效分析

目的:探讨感觉统合训练治疗低功能孤独症儿童的疗效与临床症状的关系。方法:将60例低功能孤独症患儿随机分为治疗组和对照组,分别给予感觉统合训练和不予治疗,采用孤独症治疗评估量表(ATEC)、感觉统合能力发展量表比较治疗前后孤独症临床行为及感知觉状况的改变。结果:①感觉统合训练治疗后ATEC总分值及语言、社交、感知觉、行为项分值较治疗前明显降低(P<0.05);治疗后感觉统合失调总改善率为72.4%。②感觉统合能力发展量表触觉防御项分值、ATEC行为项分值在改善感统失调不同疗效组间有统计学差异(P<0.05);孤独症临床症状的改善与治疗前ATEC社交项分值相关(P=0.012)。结论:感觉统合训练治疗低功能孤独症儿童有疗效;其疗效与治疗前触觉防御过分、社交障碍、行为异常的程度有关。     

头针治疗与综合教育康复对儿童孤独症谱系障碍的疗效观察

目的观察头针治疗与综合教育康复对儿童孤独症谱系障碍的疗效。方法 116例2~6岁孤独症谱系障碍患儿分为两组,对照组患儿接受综合教育康复治疗,观察组在综合教育康复基础上给予头针治疗。头针1次/d,每周休息2d。于治疗前及治疗6月后,采用儿童孤独症评定量表(Childhood Autism Rating Scale,CARS)、孤独症儿童行为检查量表(Autism Behavior Checklist,ABC)、婴儿-初中生社会生活能力量表(Social Adaptive Capacity Scale,SM)、儿童心理发育诊断量表(0~6岁)进行疗效评估。结果经过6个月的治疗,观察组患儿CARS评分、ABC评分均较前下降,SM评分、发育商(DQ)均较治疗前提高,且均优于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P0.01)。结论头针治疗与综合教育康复能显著提高孤独症谱系障碍的治疗效果,改善患儿的孤独症症状,有效提高患儿的发育商和社会适应能力。     

Impact of nutrition on serum levels of docosahexaenoic acid among Omani children with autism

ObjectivesAutism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder of early childhood. Dietary supplementation of the ω-3 fatty acid (docosahexaenoic acid [DHA]) during prenatal and postnatal life is considered a protective dietary intervention strategy to minimize the risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). To our knowledge, no relevant studies have been conducted in the Middle East investigating the status of DHA among children with autism during early childhood. The aim of this study was to investigate the serum levels and dietary intake status of DHA among Omani children recently diagnosed with ASD.MethodsThe present case–control study involved 80 Omani children (<5 y), 40 cases and 40 controls matched for age and sex. A semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire was used to assess dietary intake of all the participants, while serum levels of DHA were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography.ResultsOur results showed that children with ASD had lower dietary consumption of foodstuff containing DHA, as well as lower serum levels of DHA than controls.ConclusionThe present finding from Oman supports the view of other studies that there are low serum levels of DHA among children with ASD.     

孤独症谱系障碍儿童严重挑食与核心症状的关联

目的 分析孤独症谱系障碍(ASD)儿童严重挑食与其核心症状之间的关联,为ASD儿童的早期识别和精准干预提供参考.方法 纳入2018年5月～2019年12月在全国13城市的13家医院招募的2～7岁1 349名ASD儿童,1 170名典型发育(TD)儿童;采用自制问卷调查挑食情况,采用孤独症行为量表(ABC)、社会反应量表...     

学龄儿童维生素D营养状况与跟骨骨密度关系的前瞻性队列研究

目的探讨学龄儿童维生素D营养状况与跟骨骨密度的关系。方法研究对象来自“儿童青少年心血管与骨健康促进项目”,于2017年采用分层整群抽样的方法在北京市对15391名6~16岁儿童开展基线调查,2019年对其进行随访调查。进行问卷调查,测量血清25(OH)D和跟骨超声骨密度(BMD)。采用多因素线性回归和logistic回归分析基线维生素D营养状况与随访期跟骨BMD及其变化的关系。结果纳入分析的10914名儿童的年龄为(11.5±3.3)岁,男童占49.6%,基线25(OH)D水平为(35.4±12.0)nmol/L,缺乏率为36.1%。多因素回归分析显示,校正年龄、性别、BMI、吸烟、饮酒、奶制品摄入、维生素D补充、钙剂补充、体力活动、青春期发育状态和基线跟骨BMD Z值后,25(OH)D每增加10 nmol/L,随访时点跟骨BMD Z值增加0.01(P=0.041),2年间发生跟骨BMD Z值下降的OR=0.96(95%CI:0.93~1.00),P=0.030;相对于维生素D充足,维生素D不足和缺乏的儿童随访时点跟骨BMD Z值下降0.03(P=0.307)和0.06(P=0.046),2年间跟骨BMD Z值下降的风险分别增加15%(P=0.037)和21%(P=0.006),趋势P值均<0.05。结论维生素D营养状况与跟骨BMD密切相关,维生素D充足的儿童倾向于获得更高的BMD水平。倡导儿童青少年维持充足的维生素D水平,加强营养与运动,促进骨骼健康。     

Fat intake in children with autism spectrum disorder in the Mediterranean region (Valencia,Spain)

Objective: Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have been found to have alterations in dietary fat intake and fat quality. The fat intakes of the foods consumed by children with and without ASD were compared, and the deficiency and excess of these nutrients were examined.

Methods: In a matched case–control study, 3-day food diaries were completed by 105 children with ASD and 495 typically developing (TD) 6- to 9-year-old children in Valencia (Spain). We used the probabilistic approach and estimated average requirement cut-point to evaluate the risk of inadequate nutrients intakes. These were compared between groups and with Spanish recommendations using linear and logistic regression, respectively.

Results: Groups did not differ significantly in age, total dietary intake, Healthy Eating Index, or food variety score. Children with ASD had lower saturated fatty acids (SFAs) and ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) intakes, but their total PUFAs and (PUFAs?+?monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs)/SFAs, PUFAs/SFAs intakes and ω-6/ω-3 ratios were higher than TD children. The total fat and cholesterol intakes of both groups were slightly above Spanish recommendations. Both groups had low ω-6 intakes, very low ω-3 intakes, and high ω-6/ω-3 ratios.

Conclusion: Further research is required to clarify associations between ASD symptomatology, fat-eating patterns and health status.     

Low folate and vitamin B12 nourishment is common in Omani children with newly diagnosed autism

ObjectiveArab populations lack data related to nutritional assessment in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), especially micronutrient deficiencies such as folate and vitamin B12.MethodsTo assess the dietary and serum folate and vitamin B12 statuses, a hospital-based case–control study was conducted in 80 Omani children (40 children with ASDs versus 40 controls).ResultsThe ASD cases showed significantly lower levels of folate, vitamin B12, and related parameters in dietary intake and serum levels.ConclusionThese data showed that Omani children with ASDs exhibit significant deficiencies in folate and vitamin B12 and call for increasing efforts to ensure sufficient intakes of essential nutrients by children with ASDs to minimize or reverse any ongoing impact of nutrient deficiencies.