Alkhalidy Hana, Abushaikha Amal, Alnaser Khadeejah, Obeidat Mohammad D, Al-Shami Islam
Department of Nutrition and Food Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan.
Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan.
Front Nutr. 2021 Feb 19;8:627011. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2021.627011. eCollection 2021.
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 -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.
自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）是一种由多种因素引发的神经发育障碍，这些因素包括遗传和环境因素。ASD会影响沟通、行为以及儿童的营养状况，使他们面临营养失衡的高风险。因此，本研究旨在评估学龄前自闭症儿童与同龄正常发育（TD）儿童相比的营养状况。该研究还揭示了约旦人群中的一些ASD风险因素。研究纳入了52名ASD儿童和51名TD儿童（3至6岁），并按性别分层考虑了两组的社会人口统计学、产科和营养因素。通过综合问卷、3天食物记录以及人体测量和生化测量来评估营养状况。使用卡方检验和独立样本t检验来确定组间差异。在调整混杂因素后，使用逻辑回归模型来检测自闭症儿童的决定因素。研究表明，ASD儿童和TD儿童在营养素摄入不足和生化营养缺乏方面差异不大，但确实存在基于性别的差异。与TD儿童相比，自闭症女孩碳水化合物摄入不足的风险更高，而自闭症男孩维生素E、维生素K和氟摄入不足的风险更高。出生后在新生儿重症监护病房接受治疗的自闭症儿童比TD儿童更多。回归分析显示，母亲教育水平较低（比值比[OR]，12.25；95%置信区间[CI]，1.18 - 126.91）、顺产（OR，0.273；95% CI，0.105 - 0.712）、自闭症家族史（OR，0.189；95% CI，0.059 - 0.612）以及孕期服用膳食补充剂（OR，4.665；95% CI，1.158 - 18.79）均是儿童ASD的决定因素。总之，母亲营养、产后状况和营养状况可能是儿童ASD的影响因素。学龄前儿童患营养缺乏症的风险很高。因此，保持孕妇、产后儿童和幼儿期儿童的最佳营养状况非常重要。有必要开展进一步研究，调查营养素缺乏和营养干预在ASD中的作用。还需要开展关注ASD患病率、症状类型和严重程度以及与ASD营养相关问题的性别差异的研究。
