Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex of neurodevelopmental conditions with increasing incidence. The microbiota of children with ASD is distinct from neurotypical children, their food habits are also different, and it is known that nutrient intake influences microbiota in a specific way. Thus, this study investigates the food habits of children with ASD and their association with the gut microbiota. Children with ASD had their dietary energy intakes similar to controls, but they more often demonstrated food selectivity, which seemed to result in deficiency of micronutrients such as vitamins K, B6, C, iron, cooper, docosahexaenoic and docosapentanoic acid. Using high-throughput sequencing, a DNA library of intestinal microbiota was performed. Core microbiota was similar in children with and without ASD, but Dichelobacter, Nitriliruptor and Constrictibacter were found to be putative markers of ASD. The changes in gut microbiota that we observed in connection to food selectivity, intake of fats and omega-3 in particular, fermented milk products and animal/plant protein consumption had similar character, independent of diagnosis. However, high fibre intake was connected with a decreased α-diversity only in children with ASD. High carbohydrate and fibre intake influenced β-diversity, changing the abundance of Bacteroides and other genera, many of them members of the Clostidiaceae. Modulating food habits of ASD children can influence their gut microbiota composition.
Highlights
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex of neurodevelopmental conditions with increasing prevalence
The parameters and criteria used to compare microbiota, such as food selectivity, high-fibre diet etc., within the group of children with ASD were chosen based on the current literature of nutritional and feeding habits’ impact on gut microbiota
Our study shows that nutritional inadequacies in children with ASD could be hidden behind normal BMI
Summary
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex of neurodevelopmental conditions with increasing prevalence. Evidence shows that feeding problems are associated with gastrointestinal (GI) and intestinal microbiota change in children with ASD It has been established for the general population and confirmed using animal models that the consumption of particular diets shifts gut microbiota to specific bacterial genera [7]. Dietary intake of non-fermentable fibre is reported to increase such genera as Helicobacter, Enterococcus, Desulfovibrio, Parabacteroides, Pseudoflavonifractor and Oscillibacter, while decreasing genera such as Lactobacillus, Parasutterella, Coprobacillus and TM7 genera Incertae Sedis. This leads to changes in the metabolic profile that are beneficial for the prevention of autoimmune diseases [10]. Recent meta-analysis including studies with different kinds of dietary fibre concluded that fibre intake leads to a higher faecal abundance of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus spp. but does not affect α-diversity [11]
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