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Study Finds No Link Between Gastrointestinal Disorders, Autism NEW YORK -- August 5, 2009 -- Little data exists on a possible association between autism and gastrointestinal disorders, although the suggestion of such a connection has widespread popularity. Children with autism may, however, be more likely to have feeding and food selectivity issues that can lead to constipation, according to a study published in the August issue of the journal Pediatrics. Samar H. Ibrahim, Departments of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, and colleagues studied 124 children with a diagnosis of autism from birth to age 18. They looked at the incidence of 5 groups of gastrointestinal symptoms, including constipation, diarrhoea, abdominal bloating/discomfort, reflux or vomiting, and feeding issues/food selectivity. No significant difference was found in overall incidence of gastrointestinal symptoms between the children with autism and the control group of children without autism. There was no evidence of increased incidence of malabsorption or inflammation in the digestive tract. Feeding issues and constipation were more common in the children with autism, which the authors concluded may be due to neurobehavioural factors associated with autism, such as need for routine and insistence on sameness in the diet. Some medications used to treat children with autism also can lead to appetite suppression and constipation. According to the authors, children with autism should not be treated indiscriminately with restrictive diets or dietary supplements, which should only be used for specific gastrointestinal disorders. SOURCE: American Academy of Pediatrics E-mail this page to a friend or colleague! To print, use this version