The prevalence of gastrointestinal problems in children across the United States with autism spectrum disorders from families with multiple affected members
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: : To perform a large registry-based study to determine the relative prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) problems in children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) from families with multiple affected members compared with their unaffected sibling(s). METHODS: : In-home structured retrospective medical history interviews by parent recall were conducted by a pediatric neurologist. Our analysis sample included information about GI health of 589 subjects with idiopathic, familial ASD and 163 of their unaffected sibling controls registered with Autism Genetic Resource Exchange. Individuals with ASD were subgrouped into 3 autism severity groups (Full Autism, Almost Autism, and Spectrum) based on their Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised and Autism Diagnostic Observation Scale scores. RESULTS: : Parents reported significantly more GI problems in children with ASD (249/589; 42%) compared with their unaffected siblings (20/163; 12%) (p < .001). The 2 most common Gl problems in children with ASD were constipation (116/589; 20%) and chronic diarrhea (111/589; 19%). Conditional logistic regression analysis showed that having Full Autism (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 14.28, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.22-32.77) or Almost Autism (AOR = 5.16, 95% CI 2.02-13.21) was most highly associated with experiencing GI problems. Increased autism symptom severity was associated with higher odds of GI problems (AOR for trend = 2.63, 95% CI: 1.56-4.45). CONCLUSIONS: : Parents report significantly more GI problems in children with familial ASD, especially those with Full Autism, than in their unaffected children. Increased autism symptom severity is associated with increased odds of having GI problems.
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The prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms in ASD varies from 23% to 70%.
“Although the connection between gastrointestinal problems and autism is still not resolved and the prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms varies from 23 to 70% [31,125,126,127,128,129].”
From Autism, Gastrointestinal Symptoms and Modulation of Gut Microbiota by Nutritional Interventions (2019) · cites this paper as [128]
Some studies revealed significant reductions in relative abundance of Prevotella, Coprococcus, Enterococcus, Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, Lactococcus, Staphylococcus, Ruminococcus, and Bifidobacterium species in children with ASD compared with healthy controls.
“Indeed, some studies have revealed significant reductions in the relative abundance of Prevotella, Coprococcus, Enterococcus, Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, Lactococcus, Staphylococcus, Ruminococcus, and Bifidobacterium species in children with ASD compared with healthy controls [36,128,143].”
From Autism, Gastrointestinal Symptoms and Modulation of Gut Microbiota by Nutritional Interventions (2019) · cites this paper as [128]
GI disorders are associated with increased ASD severity.
“GI disorders are also associated with increased ASD severity 16.”
From Gastrointestinal Issues and Autism Spectrum Disorder (2020) · cites this paper as [16]
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- Authors
- Wang, L. W., Tancredi, D. J., & Thomas, D. W.
- Affiliations
- University of California Davis Medical Center (US)
- University of California, Davis (US)
- University of Southern California (US)
- Corresponding author
- Wang, Lulu W.
- ORCID
- Tancredi, Daniel J.
- Venue
- Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics
- Published
- 2011-06
- Volume
- 32
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 351-360
- ISSN
- 0196-206X (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2024227288
- Cited by
- 258
- References
- 29
- Citations by year
- 2026: 11 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 17 · 2023: 14 · 2022: 23 · 2021: 28 · 2020: 24 · 2019: 19 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 14 · 2016: 16 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 19 · 2013: 21 · 2012: 12
- FWCI
- 9.39
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- 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, constipation, chronic diarrhea, autism severity, unaffected siblings, prevalence
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Child, Child Development Disorders, Pervasive, Child, Preschool, Constipation, Diarrhea, Diet, Female, Gastrointestinal Diseases, Humans, Infant, Male, Severity of Illness Index, United States, Prevalence, Confidence Intervals, Logistic Models, Odds Ratio, Siblings
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