Nutritional Assessment of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Benghazi

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopment condition characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction, as well as restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior that present during early development and result in clinically significant impairment. The study was carried on (62) male and (23) female their age group range from (< 5year to >14 year) who are assessed through distribution of detailed questionnaires. The participant was selected by communicating with their parents and caregivers by a sent copy of questionnaires. Weight and height was measured after completion of the questionnaire. The laboratory tests were obtained from medical records of participants. Data set was exported to SPSS for complete analysis. In the present study, the total number of subjects involved was 85 with ages ranging from <5 years to >14 years old and average age was2.5 years. The peak of autism ages was shown at age group 5y-10y (44.7%); Autism was significantly increases among male than female, but are not consider consistent; the most onset of strange behaviors among autism between age group 1y-3y (48.2%). Autism subjects were shown mostly complains of GIT symptoms and anemia. This data together suggested that hyperactivity, eating difficulty, food sensitivity, and certain medications, in addition to limited fiscal access could play part in the dietary pattern choice, feeding practice and body weight changes among autism.