RESUMO
Background: Gut microbiota plays a potential role in human health and different disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Therefore, we analyzed gut bacteria composition in children with ASD and typical development (TD), and its relationship with nutritional status and dietary intake. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in 3- to 12-year-old children (ASD = 30, TD = 28). Dietary intake (applying food frequency questionnaires) and body mass index-for-age (expressed in z-score) were determined. Children were divided into normal weight and excess weight (risk of overweight + overweight + obesity), and the ASD group was categorized into gluten- and casein-free diet (ASD-diet) or no diet (ASD-no diet). The relative abundance of gut bacteria was analyzed in fecal samples by 16S rRNA sequencing. Results: Children with excess weight had lower Roseburia than normal weight. Fewer Bifidobacterium longum and higher Clostridium glycolicum were found in the ASD group compared with TD one. Participants with excess weight and ASD had lower Roseburia and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and higher Eubacterium ventricosum and Flavonifractor plautii than the TD group with the same nutritional status. Positive and negative associations were found between the bacteria genus and species, and the intake of dairy, vegetable drinks, cereals with and without gluten, food source of proteins, fish, food source of fat, and coconut oil, in unadjusted models and after adjustment for age, diet/no diet, ASD/TD. Conclusion: Significant differences in microbial community composition were found between children with ASD and TD, considering their nutritional status and dietary intake.
RESUMO
La prevalencia de trastorno del espectro autista ha ido en aumento, sin embargo, en Chile no existen lineamientos nutricionales acerca del posible tratamiento de la condicioÌn. Es por ello que el objetivo de esta revisioÌn fue analizar la evidencia actual en relacioÌn al uso de una dieta libre de gluten y caseiÌna, suplementacioÌn de vitamina D y omega 3 y su impacto en el comportamiento de ninÌos/as con trastorno del espectro autista. Hay evidencia con resultados en torno a los beneficios de la suplementacioÌn con vitamina D debido a su caraÌcter neuroprotector y su funcioÌn neuromuscular. A su vez, la evidencia con omega 3 (DHA) es estadiÌsticamente significativa para irritabilidad, hiperactividad, letargo, comportamiento estereotipado, conciencia social, comunicacioÌn y disminucioÌn de la severidad del autismo. Respecto a la dieta libre de gluten y caseiÌna lo observado es que no existe evidencia que respalde los beneficios que esta exclusioÌn entregariÌa. AuÌn falta evidencia para declarar un manejo nutricional especiÌfico para el tratamiento de los siÌntomas gastrointestinales y de comportamiento, maÌs allaÌ de la suplementacioÌn con aquellos micronutrientes en deÌficit.
The prevalence rate of autism spectrum disorder has been increasing, however, in Chile there are no nutritional guidelines about the possible treatment of the condition. That is the reason why the aim of this review is to analyze the current evidence regarding the use of a gluten and casein free diet, vitamin D and omega 3 supplementation and its impact in the behavior of children's with spectrum disorder autistic. There is evidence based on significant results regarding the benefits of vitamin D supplementation due to its neuroprotective character and neuromuscular function. At the same time the omega 3 evidence is statistically significant in the diminution of irritability hyperactivity, lethargy, stereotypical behavior, severity of autism and increase of social consciousness and communication. Regarding the gluten-free and casein-free diet, what was observed is that there is no evidence to support the benefits that this exclusion would provide. The evidence has not been conclusive to declare a specific nutritional management for the treatment of gastrointestinal and behavioral symptoms, beyond supplementation with those micronutrients in deficit.