Mealtime feeding behaviors and gastrointestinal dysfunction in children with classic autism compared with normal sibling controls

Vahe Badalyan,Richard H Schwartz

doi:10.4236/ojped.2012.22025

Abstract

Introduction: We compared the frequency and duration of specific mealtime behaviors and GI dysfunction in children with classic autism to typically-developing siblings. Survey Method: A 41-item on-line parent survey. Statistics: Chi square and binomial logistical regression. Results: 79 children with classic autism matched with a normally-developing sibling. Logistic Regression Analysis Revealed: Dislike of new foods and bizarre mealtime mannerisms, were more frequent in those with classic autism (p < 0.01). They also had higher odds ratio of constipation and fecal incontinence (p < 0.01). 40% of children with classic autism had been on GFCF diets (p < 0.01). Only 1% of those children on a gluten-free diet had a biopsy-proven diagnosis of celiac disease. Conclusion: Children with classic autism had more frequent dislike of new foods, bizarre mealtime behaviors, constipation, and fecal incontinence.

Highlights

We compared the frequency and duration of specific mealtime behaviors and GI dysfunction in children with classic autism to typically-developing siblings
Logistic Regression Analysis Revealed: Dislike of new foods and bizarre mealtime mannerisms, were more frequent in those with classic autism (p < 0.01). They had higher odds ratio of constipation and fecal incontinence (p < 0.01). 40% of children with classic autism had been on GFCF diets (p < 0.01)
The Brief Autism Mealtime Behavior Inventory (BAMBI) [14] and the Screening Tool of Feeding Problems applied to children (STEP-CHILD) [15] were designed to measure mealtime behavior problems observed in children

Summary

Introduction

We compared the frequency and duration of specific mealtime behaviors and GI dysfunction in children with classic autism to typically-developing siblings. Logistic Regression Analysis Revealed: Dislike of new foods and bizarre mealtime mannerisms, were more frequent in those with classic autism (p < 0.01). They had higher odds ratio of constipation and fecal incontinence (p < 0.01). Feeding problems include selective food avoidance behaviors and idiosyncratic and entrenched food preferences (selective eating) based on food texture, color, smell, and presentation. These problems, if unchecked in children with ASD, sometimes lead to unbalanced diets, dietary deficiencies, poor weight gain, and inferquently, failure to thrive [6]. The Brief Autism Mealtime Behavior Inventory (BAMBI) [14] and the Screening Tool of Feeding Problems applied to children (STEP-CHILD) [15] were designed to measure mealtime behavior problems observed in children

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion