Abstract
BACKGROUND: Autism Spectrum Disorder is prevalent worldwide. Autistic children are vulnerable, their preference in food intake, well established, that may lead to abnormal nutrition status, this study designed to describe nutritional awareness of mothers of autistic children.METHODS: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study aimed to determine the nutritional status of autistic children and their mother's awareness in Khartoum state. 67 child aged between 3-18 years were chosen from 12 Centers for children with special needs.Data was collected by questionnaire, which included general information, anthropometric measurements, dietary, and food consumption of children, through case-findings or purposive sampling techniques.RESULTS: The prevalence of autism is higher in males than females, males (77.6%), females (22.4%). Socio-economic status findings showed (65.7%) were from middle class income. Autistic children fathers (74.6%) employed and employed mothers were (28.3%). Nutritional status showed Preschool Females (100%) underweight; while school age males were (44.4%). 94.9% of them consume wheat and other cereal products. Frequent attacks of upper respiratory tract infection occurs in (97%), malaria and worms infestation occurred in (49.3%) and (46.3%) had teeth decay.CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATIONS: Nutrition awareness is essential for mothers of autistic children. It’s recommended that a dietitian should be a member in each center to educate mothers about consumption of recommended food especially in the early childhood for a better outcome through adulthood.
Highlights
IntroductionAutism and Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), are general terms for a neurodevelopment condition that, is most often a life-long disorder that result in varying degrees of difficult social interactions, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors, leading to a wide range of problematic behaviors, (Butcher et al.,2013 ; (Abubakar, Ssewanyana, & Newton, 2016) ; (Olmsted & Blaxill, 2016).Well balanced nutrition plays a great role in the mental and physical development in human being, especially in early stages of life, derangement of which may affect the later adulthood.ASD is one of the most disabling disorders in childhood that leads to a wide range of problematic behaviors (Casella et al, 2017; Butcher et al, 2010).ASD in infancy and childhood first described in 1943 and it is considered one of the most disabling feature for neurological, emotional, and intellectual development (Olmsted & Blaxill, 2016)
This is a descriptive cross-sectional study aimed to determine the nutritional status of autistic children and their mother's awareness in Khartoum state. 67 child aged between 3-18 years were chosen from 12 Centers for children with special needs
Nutrition awareness is essential for mothers of autistic children
Summary
Autism and Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), are general terms for a neurodevelopment condition that, is most often a life-long disorder that result in varying degrees of difficult social interactions, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors, leading to a wide range of problematic behaviors, (Butcher et al.,2013 ; (Abubakar, Ssewanyana, & Newton, 2016) ; (Olmsted & Blaxill, 2016).Well balanced nutrition plays a great role in the mental and physical development in human being, especially in early stages of life, derangement of which may affect the later adulthood.ASD is one of the most disabling disorders in childhood that leads to a wide range of problematic behaviors (Casella et al, 2017; Butcher et al, 2010).ASD in infancy and childhood first described in 1943 and it is considered one of the most disabling feature for neurological, emotional, and intellectual development (Olmsted & Blaxill, 2016). Autism and Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), are general terms for a neurodevelopment condition that, is most often a life-long disorder that result in varying degrees of difficult social interactions, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors, leading to a wide range of problematic behaviors, (Butcher et al.,2013 ; (Abubakar, Ssewanyana, & Newton, 2016) ; (Olmsted & Blaxill, 2016). ASD is one of the most disabling disorders in childhood that leads to a wide range of problematic behaviors (Casella et al, 2017; Butcher et al, 2010). Genetics may play a role as a causation factor, neuropathology studies identifies single nucleotide polymorphism which suggest a need for adding minerals and antioxidants for children with ASD (Mahan & Scott-Stump, 2008 ). Their preference in food intake, well established, that may lead to abnormal nutrition status, this study designed to describe nutritional awareness of mothers of autistic children
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