D'Angelo Emiliana, Fiori Fausto, Ferraro Giuseppe A, Tessitore Assunta, Nazzaro Luca, Serpico Rosario, Contaldo Maria
Multidisciplinary Department of Medical-Surgical and Dental Specialties, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via Luigi de Crecchio, 6, 80138 Naples, Italy.
Department of Medicine and Health Sciences "Vincenzo Tiberio", University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy.
Children (Basel). 2025 Mar 15;12(3):368. doi: 10.3390/children12030368.
: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by difficulties in social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors. Recent evidence indicates a significant relationship between ASD and imbalances in microbiota, particularly in the oral and gastrointestinal areas. This review examines the impact of oral microbiota, self-injurious behaviors (SIB), sensory sensitivity, and dietary choices on the comorbidities associated with ASD. An extensive literature review was conducted using PubMed and Scopus. The focus was on human studies with full-text availability, utilizing search terms related to ASD, oral health, oral microbiota, and neurodevelopmental disorders. The research was evaluated for methodological quality and its relevance to the connections between microbiota, oral health, and ASD. Individuals with ASD face unique oral health challenges, including injuries from self-injurious behaviors and increased sensory sensitivity, which complicate oral hygiene and care. Selective eating can lead to nutritional deficiencies and worsen oral health issues. Dysbiosis in oral and gut microbiota, marked by altered levels of acetate, propionate, and butyrate, interferes with gut-brain and oral-brain connections, contributing to behavioral and neurological symptoms. Treatment options such as probiotics, fecal microbiota transfer, and sensory integration therapies can potentially alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life. : The relationship between ASD, oral health, and microbiota suggests a bidirectional influence through neuroinflammatory mechanisms and metabolic disturbances. Proactive strategies focusing on microbiota and dental health may help reduce comorbidities and enhance the overall management of ASD, underscoring the need for further research into microbiota-host interactions and their therapeutic potential.
自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）是一种复杂的神经发育障碍，其特征在于社交互动、沟通和重复行为方面存在困难。最近的证据表明，ASD与微生物群失衡之间存在显著关系，尤其是在口腔和胃肠道区域。本综述探讨了口腔微生物群、自伤行为（SIB）、感官敏感性和饮食选择对与ASD相关的合并症的影响。使用PubMed和Scopus进行了广泛的文献综述。重点是可获取全文的人体研究，使用与ASD、口腔健康、口腔微生物群和神经发育障碍相关的搜索词。对该研究的方法学质量及其与微生物群、口腔健康和ASD之间联系的相关性进行了评估。患有ASD的个体面临独特的口腔健康挑战，包括自伤行为造成的伤害和感官敏感性增加，这使口腔卫生和护理变得复杂。选择性进食会导致营养缺乏并加重口腔健康问题。口腔和肠道微生物群的生态失调，以乙酸盐、丙酸盐和丁酸盐水平的改变为特征，会干扰肠脑和口腔脑连接，导致行为和神经症状。益生菌、粪便微生物群移植和感官整合疗法等治疗选择可能会缓解症状并改善生活质量。ASD、口腔健康和微生物群之间的关系表明，通过神经炎症机制和代谢紊乱存在双向影响。关注微生物群和牙齿健康的积极策略可能有助于减少合并症并加强ASD的整体管理，强调需要进一步研究微生物群与宿主的相互作用及其治疗潜力。
