Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review
This systematic review aims to offer an updated understanding of the relationship between gastrointestinal symptoms (GIS) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children and adolescents. The databases PsycINFO, Medline, Cinahl, and ERIC were searched using keywords, and relevant literature was hand-s...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2022-04-01
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| Series: | Nutrients |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/14/7/1471 |
| _version_ | 1797438114853027840 |
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| author | Geraldine Leader Cathal Abberton Stephen Cunningham Katie Gilmartin Margo Grudzien Emily Higgins Lokesh Joshi Sally Whelan Arlene Mannion |
| author_facet | Geraldine Leader Cathal Abberton Stephen Cunningham Katie Gilmartin Margo Grudzien Emily Higgins Lokesh Joshi Sally Whelan Arlene Mannion |
| author_sort | Geraldine Leader |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This systematic review aims to offer an updated understanding of the relationship between gastrointestinal symptoms (GIS) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children and adolescents. The databases PsycINFO, Medline, Cinahl, and ERIC were searched using keywords, and relevant literature was hand-searched. Papers (<i>n</i> = 3319) were systematically screened and deemed eligible if they were empirical studies published in English since 2014 and measured the GIS of individuals with ASD who were under 18 years old. Thirty studies were included in the final review. The study findings were synthesized under eight themes, including the prevalence and nature of GIS and their relationship with developmental regression, language and communication, ASD severity, challenging behavior, comorbid psychopathology, sleep problems, and sensory issues. The review found that GIS were common and that there was contradictory evidence concerning their relationship with co-occurring conditions. It also identified evidence of some causal relationships that support the existence of the gut–immune–brain pathways. Future research needs to use large prospective designs and objective and standardized GIS measurements to provide a nuanced understanding of GIS in the context of ASD. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T11:32:33Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-673926053ea9466fa6a9e99e68a348d1 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2072-6643 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T11:32:33Z |
| publishDate | 2022-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nutrients |
| spelling | doaj.art-673926053ea9466fa6a9e99e68a348d12023-11-30T23:48:43ZengMDPI AGNutrients2072-66432022-04-01147147110.3390/nu14071471Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic ReviewGeraldine Leader0Cathal Abberton1Stephen Cunningham2Katie Gilmartin3Margo Grudzien4Emily Higgins5Lokesh Joshi6Sally Whelan7Arlene Mannion8Irish Centre for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Research, School of Psychology, National University of Ireland Galway, University Road, H91 TK33 Galway, IrelandIrish Centre for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Research, School of Psychology, National University of Ireland Galway, University Road, H91 TK33 Galway, IrelandIrish Centre for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Research, School of Psychology, National University of Ireland Galway, University Road, H91 TK33 Galway, IrelandIrish Centre for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Research, School of Psychology, National University of Ireland Galway, University Road, H91 TK33 Galway, IrelandHealthy Mind Clinic, 61 Old Church Crescent, Clondalkin, D22 VK63 Dublin, IrelandIrish Centre for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Research, School of Psychology, National University of Ireland Galway, University Road, H91 TK33 Galway, IrelandIrish Centre for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Research, School of Psychology, National University of Ireland Galway, University Road, H91 TK33 Galway, IrelandIrish Centre for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Research, School of Psychology, National University of Ireland Galway, University Road, H91 TK33 Galway, IrelandIrish Centre for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Research, School of Psychology, National University of Ireland Galway, University Road, H91 TK33 Galway, IrelandThis systematic review aims to offer an updated understanding of the relationship between gastrointestinal symptoms (GIS) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children and adolescents. The databases PsycINFO, Medline, Cinahl, and ERIC were searched using keywords, and relevant literature was hand-searched. Papers (<i>n</i> = 3319) were systematically screened and deemed eligible if they were empirical studies published in English since 2014 and measured the GIS of individuals with ASD who were under 18 years old. Thirty studies were included in the final review. The study findings were synthesized under eight themes, including the prevalence and nature of GIS and their relationship with developmental regression, language and communication, ASD severity, challenging behavior, comorbid psychopathology, sleep problems, and sensory issues. The review found that GIS were common and that there was contradictory evidence concerning their relationship with co-occurring conditions. It also identified evidence of some causal relationships that support the existence of the gut–immune–brain pathways. Future research needs to use large prospective designs and objective and standardized GIS measurements to provide a nuanced understanding of GIS in the context of ASD.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/14/7/1471autism spectrum disordersgastrointestinal symptomscomorbidityregressionlanguage and communicationseverity |
| spellingShingle | Geraldine Leader Cathal Abberton Stephen Cunningham Katie Gilmartin Margo Grudzien Emily Higgins Lokesh Joshi Sally Whelan Arlene Mannion Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review Nutrients autism spectrum disorders gastrointestinal symptoms comorbidity regression language and communication severity |
| title | Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review |
| title_full | Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review |
| title_fullStr | Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review |
| title_short | Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review |
| title_sort | gastrointestinal symptoms in autism spectrum disorder a systematic review |
| topic | autism spectrum disorders gastrointestinal symptoms comorbidity regression language and communication severity |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/14/7/1471 |
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