Barnhill K, Gutierrez A, Ghossainy M, Marediya Z, Marti C N, Hewitson L
The Johnson Center for Child Health and Development, Austin, TX, USA.
The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.
J Hum Nutr Diet. 2017 Feb;30(1):59-65. doi: 10.1111/jhn.12396. Epub 2016 Jul 14.
Children with autism spectrum disorder are at risk of a compromised dietary intake and nutritional status that could impact growth over both the short and long term. The limited body of published research addressing this concern has been contradictory and inconclusive to date.
This case-control study investigated the height, weight, body mass index (BMI) and other anthropometric measurements of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Eighty-six children with ASD and 57 healthy controls participated in the study. Caregivers of participants who met the inclusion criteria completed a health history questionnaire, provided information on dietary intake and feeding behaviour, and completed a nutrition physical with a healthcare professional, which provided all of the anthropometric measurements required for the study.
Body mass index and BMI Z-scores for females with ASD and corresponding healthy controls were significantly different. Female participants with ASD had significantly lower BMI and BMI Z-scores than control participants. The prevalence of risk for failure-to-thrive status was consistent across ASD subjects and controls. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was consistent across ASD subjects and controls. Children with ASD comprised 60% of the total number of children across BMI categories and mid-arm muscle circumference percentile ranges, which is consistent with the proportion of children in the overall sample.
More research is needed to fully assess physical status and potential growth concerns of children with ASD. A full physical assessment should be a component of primary care for all children with ASD.
自闭症谱系障碍儿童存在饮食摄入和营养状况受损的风险，这可能在短期和长期内影响生长发育。迄今为止，针对这一问题的已发表研究数量有限，且结果相互矛盾，尚无定论。
本病例对照研究调查了被诊断为自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）儿童的身高、体重、体重指数（BMI）及其他人体测量指标。86名患有ASD的儿童和57名健康对照参与了该研究。符合纳入标准的参与者的照顾者完成了一份健康史问卷，提供了饮食摄入和喂养行为方面的信息，并与一名医疗保健专业人员一起完成了一次营养体检，该体检提供了研究所需的所有人体测量指标。
患有ASD的女性及其相应健康对照的体重指数和BMI Z评分存在显著差异。患有ASD的女性参与者的BMI和BMI Z评分显著低于对照参与者。发育迟缓风险的患病率在ASD受试者和对照组中是一致的。超重和肥胖的患病率在ASD受试者和对照组中也是一致的。在所有BMI类别和上臂肌肉周长百分位数范围内，患有ASD的儿童占儿童总数的60%，这与总体样本中的儿童比例一致。
需要更多研究来全面评估ASD儿童的身体状况和潜在的生长发育问题。全面的身体评估应成为所有ASD儿童初级保健的一部分。
