Panacea Index Logo

Command Palette

Search for a command to run...

The Effect of a Combined Gluten- and Casein-Free Diet on Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Nutrients
January 1, 1970
Amélie Keller et al. (8 authors)
Journal ArticleMeta-AnalysisSystematic ReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to investigate the benefits and safety of a gluten-free and casein-free (GFCF) diet in children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Results Summary

The study found no significant effect of a GFCF diet on autism core symptoms, functional level, or behavioral difficulties in children with ASD. However, the diet might trigger gastrointestinal adverse effects.

Population

Children aged 3 to 17 years diagnosed with ASD, with or without comorbidities.

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (4)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
a GFCF diet
no change
clinician-reported autism core symptoms
children aged 3 to 17 years diagnosed with ASD
SMD -0.31 (95% Cl. -0.89, 0.27)
showed no effect
#1
a GFCF diet
no change
parent-reported functional level
children aged 3 to 17 years diagnosed with ASD
MD 0.61 (95% Cl -5.92, 7.14)
showed no effect
#2
a GFCF diet
no change
behavioral difficulties
children aged 3 to 17 years diagnosed with ASD
MD 0.80 (95% Cl -6.56, 10.16)
showed no effect
#3
a GFCF diet
increase
gastrointestinal adverse effects
children aged 3 to 17 years diagnosed with ASD
RR 2.33 (95% Cl 0.69, 7.90)
might trigger
#4
Abstract

There has been a growing interest in the gastrointestinal system and its significance for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), including the significance of adopting a gluten-free and casein-free (GFCF) diet. The objective was to investigate beneficial and safety of a GFCF diet among children with a diagnosis of ASD. We performed a systematic literature search in Medline, Embase, Cinahl, and the Cochrane Library up to January 2020 for existing systematic reviews and individual randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Studies were included if they investigated a GFCF diet compared to a regular diet in children aged 3 to 17 years diagnosed with ASD, with or without comorbidities. The quality of the identified existing reviews was assessed using A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR). The risk of bias in RCTs was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool, and overall quality of evidence was evaluated using Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE). We identified six relevant RCTs, which included 143 participants. The results from a random effect model showed no effect of a GFCF diet on clinician-reported autism core symptoms (standardized mean difference (SMD) -0.31 (95% Cl. -0.89, 0.27)), parent-reported functional level (mean difference (MD) 0.61 (95% Cl -5.92, 7.14)) or behavioral difficulties (MD 0.80 (95% Cl -6.56, 10.16)). On the contrary, a GFCF diet might trigger gastrointestinal adverse effects (relative risk (RR) 2.33 (95% Cl 0.69, 7.90)). The quality of evidence ranged from low to very low due to serious risk of bias, serious risk of inconsistency, and serious risk of imprecision. Clinical implications of the present findings may be careful consideration of introducing a GFCF diet to children with ASD. However, the limitations of the current literature hinder the possibility of drawing any solid conclusion, and more high-quality RCTs are needed. The protocol is registered at the Danish Health Authority website.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
AdolescentAutism Spectrum DisorderCaseinsChildDiet, Gluten-FreeDiet, Protein-RestrictedHumans
Study Links
Quality Scores
Safety30
Efficacy20/10
Quality65/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations19
Citations/Year4.8
Relative Citation Ratio1.91
NIH Percentile73.1%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.75
Weight Score1.53
Normalized Score0.33
Related Supplements