Abstract
Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) report a higher frequency and severity of gastrointestinal disorders (GID) than typically developing (TD) children. GID-associated discomfort increases feelings of anxiety and frustration, contributing to the severity of ASD. Emerging evidence supports the biological intersection of neurodevelopment and microbiome, indicating the integral contribution of GM in the development and function of the nervous system, and mental health, and disease balance. Dysbiotic GM could be a contributing factor in the pathogenesis of GID in children with ASD. High-fat diets may modulate GM through accelerated growth of bile-tolerant bacteria, altered bacterial ratios, and reduced bacterial diversity, which may increase the risk of GID. Notably, saturated fatty acids are considered to have a pronounced effect on the increase of bile-tolerant bacteria and reduction in microbial diversity. Additionally, omega-3 exerts a favorable impact on GM and gut health due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Despite inconsistencies in the data elaborated in the review, the dietary fat composition, as part of an overall dietary intervention, plays a role in modulating GID, specifically in ASD, due to the altered microbiome profile. This review emphasizes the need to conduct future experimental studies investigating the effect of diets with varying fatty acid compositions on GID-specific microbiome profiles in children with ASD.
Highlights
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that is characterized by challenges in social skills and communication, along with the presence of restricted and repetitive behaviors [1]
The aim of this review is to investigate the role of dietary fat in modulating gastrointestinal disorders (GID), mainly through its effects on the gut microbiome (GM) balance and their byproducts
Data from the literature suggests that children with ASD have different microbiome profiles than typically developing (TD) children, which contribute to both behavioral disorders and GID
Summary
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that is characterized by challenges in social skills and communication, along with the presence of restricted and repetitive behaviors [1]. A high rate of both mental and physical conditions is reported in individuals with ASD [2], including epilepsy, sleep disorders, anxiety, bipolar disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and gastrointestinal disorders (GID) [3]. GID can contribute to increased medical costs, trigger sleep disturbances, and increase social withdrawal and anxiety [6,7,8]. The unpleasant feeling associated with GID, such as pain and discomfort, may lead to feelings of anxiety, frustration, and irritability [6,10], which may increase the risk of aggression and self-abuse [10], especially if children are unable to express this discomfort verbally, increasing the severity of ASD itself
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