Brief report: association between behavioral features and gastrointestinal problems among children with autism spectrum disorder
Abstract
Recent reports suggest certain behaviors among children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) may indicate underlying gastro-intestinal (GI) problems, and that the presence of these behaviors may help alert primary care providers to the need to evaluate a child with ASD for GI problems. The purpose of this population-based study of 487 children with ASD, including 35 (7.2%) with a medically documented history of GI problems, was to compare behavioral features of children with and without a history of GI problems. Unusual sleeping or eating habits and oppositional behavior were significantly associated with GI problems. These behaviors, however, were frequent in both children with and without GI problems, suggesting they may have limited utility in a screening capacity for GI problems.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
Untreated GI distress in children with ASD has been linked to sleep, behavioral and psychiatric disorders.
“Untreated GI distress in children with ASD has been linked to many issues in this population, including sleep, behavioral and psychiatric disorders 45.”
From Gastrointestinal Issues and Autism Spectrum Disorder (2020) · cites this paper as [5]
Argumentative, oppositional, defiant and destructive behaviors are more often seen in ASD children with accompanying GI problems.
“Argumentative, oppositional, defiant and destructive behaviors are also more often seen in ASD children with accompanying GI problems 5.”
From Gastrointestinal Issues and Autism Spectrum Disorder (2020) · cites this paper as [5]
Seizures, sleep disorders and psychiatric problems tend to be the conditions most commonly associated with GI dysfunction in ASD.
“Of the medical comorbidities associated with ASD, seizures, sleep disorders and psychiatric problems tend to be the conditions most commonly associated with GI dysfunction (Figure 1) 5,25.”
From Gastrointestinal Issues and Autism Spectrum Disorder (2020) · cites this paper as [5]
Cites
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR)
American Psychiatric Association (2000) · doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890423349 · Cited by 11,069 · see citing works
The Epidemiology of Autism Spectrum Disorders
Newschaffer, C. J., Croen, L. A., Daniels, J., Giarelli, E., Grether, J. K., Levy, S. E., Mandell, D. S., Miller, L. A., Pinto-Martin, J., Reaven, J., et al. (2007) · Annual Review of Public Health · doi:10.1146/annurev.publhealth.28.021406.144007 · Cited by 1,228 · see citing works
Self-citationBuie, T., Campbell, D. B., Fuchs, G. J., Furuta, G. T., Levy, J., VandeWater, J., Whitaker, A. H., Atkins, D., Bauman, M. L., Beaudet, A. L., et al. (2010) · Pediatrics · doi:10.1542/peds.2009-1878c · Cited by 872 · see citing works
Self-citationRice, C. E. (2009) · PsycEXTRA Dataset · doi:10.1037/e562722010-001 · Cited by 760 · see citing works
Mack, A. H. (2011) · Yearbook of Psychiatry and Applied Mental Health · doi:10.1016/j.ypsy.2010.11.009 · Cited by 500 · see citing works
Gastrointestinal abnormalities in children with autistic disorder
Horváth, K., Papadimitriou, J. C., Rabsztyn, A., Drachenberg, C. B., & Tildón, J. T. (1999) · The Journal of Pediatrics · doi:10.1016/s0022-3476(99)70052-1 · Cited by 489 · see citing works
Medical Comorbidities in Autism: Challenges to Diagnosis and Treatment
Bauman, M. L. (2010) · Neurotherapeutics · doi:10.1016/j.nurt.2010.06.001 · Cited by 372 · see citing works
Taylor, B. (2002) · BMJ · doi:10.1136/bmj.324.7334.393 · Cited by 345 · see citing works
Incidence of Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Children With Autism: A Population-Based Study
Ibrahim, S. H., Voigt, R. G., Katusic, S. K., Weaver, A. L., & Barbaresi, W. J. (2009) · PEDIATRICS · doi:10.1542/peds.2008-2933 · Cited by 298 · see citing works
Wang, L. W., Tancredi, D. J., & Thomas, D. W. (2011) · Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics · doi:10.1097/dbp.0b013e31821bd06a · Cited by 258 · see citing works
Early medical history of children with autism spectrum disorders
NIEHUS, R., & LORD, C. (2006) · Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics · doi:10.1097/00004703-200604002-00010 · Cited by 152 · see citing works
Richler, J., Luyster, R., Risi, S., Hsu, W.-L., Dawson, G., Bernier, R., Dunn, M., Hepburn, S., Hyman, S. L., McMahon, W. M., et al. (2006) · Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders · doi:10.1007/s10803-005-0070-1 · Cited by 149 · see citing works
Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder and Language Regression
Valicenti-McDermott, M., McVicar, K. A., Cohen, H. J., Wershil, B. K., & Shinnar, S. (2008) · Pediatric Neurology · doi:10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2008.07.019 · Cited by 90 · see citing works
Feeding and gastrointestinal problems in children with cerebral palsy
Erkin, G., Çulha, C., Özel, S., & KİRBİYİK, E. G. (2010) · International Journal of Rehabilitation Research · doi:10.1097/mrr.0b013e3283375e10 · Cited by 80 · see citing works
Celiac disease, posterior cerebral calcifications and epilepsy
Gobbi, G., Ambrosetto, P., Zaniboni, M. G., et al. (1992) · Brain and Development · doi:10.1016/s0387-7604(12)80275-0 · Cited by 40 · see citing works
Mouridsen, S. E., Rich, B., & Isager, T. (2010) · Child Care Health and Development · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2214.2009.01021.x · Cited by 31 · see citing works
511 Clinical Features Associated With GI Symptoms in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)
Williams, K. C., Fuchs, G. J., Furuta, G. T., MARCON, M. A., & Coury, D. L. (2010) · Gastroenterology · doi:10.1016/s0016-5085(10)60337-x · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Flagged first, then by citations
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Identification, Evaluation, and Management of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Hyman, S. L., Levy, S. E., Myers, S. M., COUNCIL ON CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES, S. O. D. A. B. P., Kuo, D. Z., Apkon, S., Davidson, L. F., Ellerbeck, K. A., Foster, J. E. A., Noritz, G. H., et al. (2020) · Pediatrics · doi:10.1542/peds.2019-3447 · Cited by 1,548 · see citing works
Self-citationGastrointestinal Symptoms in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Meta-analysis
McElhanon, B. O., McCracken, C., Karpen, S., & Sharp, W. G. (2014) · Pediatrics · doi:10.1542/peds.2013-3995 · Cited by 831 · see citing works
Gastrointestinal Problems in Children with Autism, Developmental Delays or Typical Development
Chaidez, V., Hansen, R. L., & Hertz-Picciotto, I. (2014) · Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders · doi:10.1007/s10803-013-1973-x · Cited by 528 · see citing works
Zazpe (2014) · doi:10.1177/0883073813498821 · Cited by 239 · see citing works
Gastrointestinal issues in autism spectrum disorder
Hsiao, E. Y. (2014) · Harvard Review of Psychiatry · doi:10.1097/hrp.0000000000000029 · Cited by 209 · see citing works
Gastrointestinal symptoms and behavioral problems in preschoolers with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Fulceri, F., Morelli, M., Santocchi, E., Cena, H., Del Bianco, T., Narzisi, A., Calderoni, S., & Muratori, F. (2016) · Digestive and Liver Disease · doi:10.1016/j.dld.2015.11.026 · Cited by 191 · see citing works
Zhang, M., Ma, W., Zhang, J., He, Y., & Wang, J. (2018) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-018-32219-2 · Cited by 188 · see citing works
Tye, C., Runicles, A. K., Whitehouse, A. J. O., & Alvares, G. A. (2019) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00751 · Cited by 177 · see citing works
Gastrointestinal Issues and Autism Spectrum Disorder
Madra, M., Ringel, R., & Margolis, K. G. (2020) · Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America · doi:10.1016/j.chc.2020.02.005 · Cited by 159 · see citing works
Clinical differences in children with autism spectrum disorder with and without food selectivity
Postorino, V., Sanges, V., Giovagnoli, G., Fatta, L. M., De Peppo, L., Armando, M., Vicari, S., & Mazzone, L. (2015) · Appetite · doi:10.1016/j.appet.2015.05.016 · Cited by 151 · see citing works
The BTBR T+tf/J mouse model for autism spectrum disorders–in search of biomarkers
Meyza, K. Z., Defensor, E. B., Jensen, A. L., Corley, M. J., Pearson, B. L., Pobbe, R. L. H., Bolivar, V. J., Blanchard, D. C., & Blanchard, R. J. (2013) · Behavioural Brain Research · doi:10.1016/j.bbr.2012.07.021 · Cited by 147 · see citing works
Eating and feeding problems and gastrointestinal dysfunction in Autism Spectrum Disorders
Vissoker, R. E., Latzer, Y., & Gal, E. (2015) · Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.rasd.2014.12.010 · Cited by 105 · see citing works
Behavioral Phenotype of ASD Preschoolers with Gastrointestinal Symptoms or Food Selectivity
Prosperi, M., Santocchi, E., Balboni, G., Narzisi, A., Bozza, M., Fulceri, F., Apicella, F., Igliozzi, R., Cosenza, A., Tancredi, R., et al. (2017) · Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders · doi:10.1007/s10803-017-3271-5 · Cited by 82 · see citing works
Rigid-compulsive behaviors are associated with mixed bowel symptoms in autism spectrum disorder
Peters, B., Williams, K. C., Gorrindo, P., Rosenberg, D., Lee, E. B., Levitt, P., & Veenstra-VanderWeele, J. (2014) · Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders · doi:10.1007/s10803-013-2009-2 · Cited by 70 · see citing works
Feng, P., Zhao, S., Zhang, Y., & Li, E. (2023) · Frontiers in Microbiology · doi:10.3389/fmicb.2023.1123462 · Cited by 62 · see citing works
Alshammari, M. K., AlKhulaifi, M. M., Al Farraj, D. A., Somily, A. M., & Albarrag, A. M. (2020) · Anaerobe · doi:10.1016/j.anaerobe.2019.102114 · Cited by 53 · see citing works
Margolis, K. G., Buie, T. M., Turner, J. B., Silberman, A. E., Feldman, J. F., Murray, K. F., McSwiggan-Hardin, M., Levy, J., Bauman, M. L., Veenstra-VanderWeele, J., et al. (2019) · Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders · doi:10.1007/s10803-018-3767-7 · Cited by 52 · see citing works
Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Literature Review
Mannion, A., & Leader, G. (2014) · Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders · doi:10.1007/s40489-013-0007-0 · Cited by 45 · see citing works
Leader, G., Molina Bonilla, P., Naughton, K., Maher, L., Casburn, M., Arndt, S., & Mannion, A. (2021) · Developmental Neurorehabilitation · doi:10.1080/17518423.2020.1770353 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
- Authors
- Maenner, M. J., Arneson, C. L., Levy, S. E., Kirby, R. S., Nicholas, J. S., & Durkin, M. S.
- Affiliations
- University of Wisconsin–Madison (US)
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (US)
- University of South Florida (US)
- Medical University of South Carolina (US)
- Corresponding author
- Maenner, Matthew J.
- Venue
- Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
- Published
- 2011-10-20
- Volume
- 42
- Issue
- 7
- Pages
- 1520-1525
- ISSN
- 0162-3257 (ISSN-L)
- 1573-3432
- OpenAlex
- W2040135823
- Cited by
- 122
- References
- 19
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 14 · 2023: 11 · 2022: 11 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 8 · 2012: 4
- FWCI
- 2.60
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
- Locations
- Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Autism Science Foundation
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (UR3DD000078)
- U.S. Public Health Service (UR3/CCU523235)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Child Nutrition and Feeding Issues
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Gastroenterology › Gastrointestinal motility and disorders
- Keywords
- autism spectrum disorder, gastrointestinal problems, behavioral characteristics, oppositional behavior, screening, children
- MeSH terms
- Child, Child Behavior Disorders, Child Development Disorders, Pervasive, Cross-Sectional Studies, Diagnosis, Differential, Female, Gastrointestinal Diseases, Humans, Male, Primary Health Care, Comorbidity
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
