Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder. Recent data suggest that probiotics can reduce some symptoms of this disorder and Lactobacillus plantarum PS128 has been reported to be especially useful. We recruited a sample of 131 autistic children and adolescents (M:F = 122:19; age: 86.1 ± 41.1 months) and evaluated their changes after use of probiotics by mean of CGI. We found some significant improvements with very few side effects; these positive effects were more evident in younger children. Patients taking Lactobacillus plantarum PS128 had greater improvements and fewer side effects than those taking other probiotics. Our real-life data are consistent with existing literature showing a specific effect of Lactobacillus plantarum PS128 in Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Highlights
According to the DSM 5 [1], Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is diagnosed in children having persistent deficits in social communication and interaction across multiple contexts, and a restricted and/or repetitive pattern of behaviors, interests or activities
The consistency of the clinical diagnostic criteria is demonstrated by the fact that in the field trials of DSM 5 criteria [5], the diagnosis of ASD had the highest kappa statistic compared to other diagnosis applicable in children (0.69, indicating a very good inter-rater agreement)
Diagnosis of ASD was established from clinical examination and confirmed with the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule–2 [27] and the Autism Diagnostic Interview–Revised [28]
Summary
According to the DSM 5 [1], Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is diagnosed in children having persistent deficits in social communication and interaction across multiple contexts, and a restricted and/or repetitive pattern of behaviors, interests or activities. It is a complex disorder, with heterogeneous etiopathogenesis and clinical presentation [2,3]. Given the relatively high prevalence of gastrointestinal disorders in ASD [7], in recent years many scholars have focused their research attention on the gut of these subjects. This line of research led to evidence a higher prevalence of gastrointestinal disorders not specific to ASD, the most common being possibly eosinophilic colitis [8]
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