Symptomatic vitamin A and D deficiencies in an eight-year-old with autism
Abstract
An 8-year-old boy with autism developed a limp and periorbital swelling. He was found to have hypocalcemia and radiographic evidence of rickets. Ophthalmologic examination revealed xerophthalmia and corneal erosions. Serum vitamin A was undetectable and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D was decreased. Dietary history revealed a markedly altered intake consisting of only french fried potatoes and water for several years. All biochemical and physical abnormalities reversed with appropriate supplementation. The nutritional content of french fries is reviewed. Feeding dysfunction is an integral part of autism and closer attention should be paid to potential nutritional deficiencies.
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Some studies reported decreased bone development, lower mineral density, and greater risk of fractures in children with ASD compared to controls, linked to lack of calcium and vitamin D in the diet, despite good anthropometric growth.
“Some studies reported decreased bone development lower mineral density and a greater risk of fractures in children with ASD compared to controls (TDs), linked to a lack of calcium and vitamin D in the diet, despite good anthropometric growth [85,86,87,88].”
From Autism, Gastrointestinal Symptoms and Modulation of Gut Microbiota by Nutritional Interventions (2019) · cites this paper as [87]
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- Authors
- Clark, J. H., Rhoden, D. K., & Turner, D. S.
- Affiliations
- Augusta University (US)
- Venue
- Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 1993-05
- Volume
- 17
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 284-286
- ISSN
- 0148-6071 (ISSN-L)
- 1941-2444
- OpenAlex
- W1974925115
- Cited by
- 65
- References
- 16
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 2 · 2012: 4
- FWCI
- 0.00
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Child Nutrition and Feeding Issues
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pathology and Forensic Medicine › Vitamin D Research Studies
- Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Child Nutrition and Water Access
- Keywords
- vitamin A deficiency, vitamin D deficiency, autism spectrum disorder, hypocalcemia, rickets, xerophthalmia, corneal erosion, feeding disorders, dietary restriction, French fries, dietary supplementation, child nutrition
- MeSH terms
- Autistic Disorder, Child, Feeding Behavior, Humans, Male, Rickets, Vitamin A Deficiency, Vitamin D Deficiency
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