Analysis of gastrointestinal problems and the related clinical features in children with autism spectrum disorder

Objective To explore the prevalence of gastrointestinal problems among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and analyze the correlation between clinical features and gastrointestinal problems (GI) among children with ASD,and to provide reference for the comprehensive intervention of children with ASD.Methods 110 cases of ASD and 110 normal children were recruited,and the information about the gastrointestinal problems,emotional problems and sleep problems were collected.Autism diagnostic interview-revised (ADI-R) was used to assess ASD phenotype.Further,we compared the scores of ADI-R and the prevalence of clinical features between ASD with/without GI problems groups.Results The ASD children had a significantly higher prevalence of gastrointestinal problems than that in normal children (44.5% vs 24.5%)(X2 =9.730,P<0.01),especially in the symptoms of diarrhoea and abdominal distension (P<0.05).and the scores in diarrhea and abdominal distension are significantly different(X2 =6.62,6.74,P<0.05).Compared with 61 ASD students with no gastrointestinal problem (3.83±2.29),the "repetitive and stereotyped behavior" of 49 ASD students with gastrointestinal problem(5.30±2.55) get a higher score(t =3.17,P<0.01) Also,emotional problems and sleep problems were different between ASD with/without GI problems groups (X2 =7.01,4.27,P<0.05).Conclusion ASD children are more likely to have gastrointestinal problems compared with normal children.Compared to ASD children without GI problems,ASD children with GI problems are more serious in repetitive and stereotyped behaviors and more likely to have emotional and sleep problems.Therefore,it is necessary to pay more attention to related clinical problems of ASD,and carry out the comprehensive treatment and management of them.