The prevalence of gluten free diet use among preschool children with autism spectrum disorder.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to estimate the prevalence of gluten-free diet (GFD) use in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and identify characteristics associated with GFD usage.
Results Summary
The study found that 11.1% of children with ASD were currently on a GFD, and 20.4% had ever used one, significantly higher than in the control population. GFD usage was associated with gastrointestinal conditions and developmental regression in children with ASD.
Population
Children aged 30-68 months with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and population controls.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
gluten free diet (GFD) | increase | current use | children aged 30-68 months with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) | 11.1% prevalence after adjustment | prevalent | #1 |
gluten free diet (GFD) | increase | ever use | children aged 30-68 months with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) | 20.4% | prevalent | #2 |
gluten free diet (GFD) | increase | current use | children with ASD compared to population controls (POP) | 0.9% current use in POP children | greater percentage | #3 |
gluten free diet (GFD) | increase | child GI conditions | children with ASD | - | associated with | #4 |
gluten free diet (GFD) | increase | developmental regression | children with ASD | - | associated with | #5 |
gluten free diet (GFD) | neutral | alternative therapy for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) | - | - | commonly used | #6 |
gluten free diet (GFD) | no change | ASD symptoms | - | - | effectiveness is still uncertain | #7 |
UNLABELLED: Our objective was to estimate prevalence of current or ever use of a gluten free diet (GFD) in children aged 30-68 months with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and population controls (POP); and to identify characteristics associated with ever having used GFD among children with ASD. We used data from the Study to Explore Early Development (SEED), a multi-site, case-control study of children with ASD. Caregivers reported GFD use by their children through structured questionnaires about diet patterns, gastrointestinal (GI) issues, and ASD-specific treatments. Prevalence was estimated and compared using log-Poisson regression, adjusting for confounders. In children with ASD, we examined whether child or mother's GI conditions or child's phenotypic traits were associated with ever trying a GFD. In SEED, 71 children with ASD (11.1% prevalence after adjustment) were on a GFD at time of the study and 130 (20.4%) had ever used a GFD, a greater percentage than in POP children (N = 11, 0.9% current use). Of current users with ASD, 50.7% had a dietary intervention that was prescribed by a medical professional. Among children with ASD, child GI conditions and developmental regression were positively and independently associated with having ever used a GFD. Current use and ever use of a GFD were prevalent in children with ASD identified in SEED. GFD usage was associated with GI issues and child phenotype. Clinicians may consider advising parents on how best to use these diets in the context of the child's GI presentation and current scientific knowledge about effectiveness in relation to ASD symptoms. Autism Res 2018, 11: 185-193. © 2017 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. LAY SUMMARY: Gluten free diets (GFDs) are commonly used as an alternative therapy for autism spectrum disorder (ASD); however, the effectiveness is still uncertain which makes it important to know who tries this type of diet. We found that one in five preschool aged children with ASD had ever used a GFD. Children with gastrointestinal conditions and developmental regression were more likely to have tried a GFD.