Nutritional Status of Pre-school Children and Determinant Factors of Autism: A Case-Control Study

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder triggered by several factors, including those of genetic and environmental nature. ASD can alter communication, behavior, and children's nutritional status, placing them at high risk for nutritional imbalances. Therefore, this stud...

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Main Authors: Hana Alkhalidy, Amal Abushaikha, Khadeejah Alnaser, Mohammad D. Obeidat, Islam Al-Shami
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2021-02-01
Series:Frontiers in Nutrition
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2021.627011/full
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spelling doaj-2fa2d38201dd4a20a2c6b154576283d02021-02-19T06:42:38ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Nutrition2296-861X2021-02-01810.3389/fnut.2021.627011627011Nutritional Status of Pre-school Children and Determinant Factors of Autism: A Case-Control StudyHana Alkhalidy0Amal Abushaikha1Khadeejah Alnaser2Mohammad D. Obeidat3Islam Al-Shami4Department of Nutrition and Food Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, JordanDepartment of Nutrition and Food Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, JordanDepartment of Nutrition and Food Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, JordanDepartment of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, JordanDepartment of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Allied Health Science, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, JordanAutism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder triggered by several factors, including those of genetic and environmental nature. ASD can alter communication, behavior, and children's nutritional status, placing them at high risk for nutritional imbalances. Therefore, this study aims to assess preschool autistic children's nutritional status as compared to that of Typically Developing (TD) children of the same age. The study also revealed some of the ASD risk factors among the Jordanian population. It included 52 ASD and 51 TD children (3–6 years), and considered sociodemographic, obstetric, and nutritional factors of the two groups, stratified by gender. Nutritional status was evaluated through a comprehensive questionnaire, 3-day food record, and anthropometric and biochemical measurements. Differences between groups were identified using the chi-square and independent-sample t-test. The logistic regression model was used after the adjustment of confounders to detect an autistic child's determinants. The study showed little difference between ASD and TD children with respect to nutrients' intake inadequacy and biochemical-nutritional deficiencies, but did reveal gender-based differences. Autistic girls were at higher risk of inadequate carbohydrate intake, while autistic boys were at higher risk of inadequate vitamin E, vitamin K, and fluoride compared to TD children. More autistic children had been treated in neonatal care units after birth than had TD children. The regression analysis revealed that lower maternal education level (OR, 12.25; 95% CI, 1.18–126.91), vaginal delivery (OR, 0.273; 95% CI, 0.105–0.712), family history of autism (OR, 0.189; 95% CI, 0.059–0.612), and taking dietary supplements during pregnancy (OR, 4.665; 95% CI, 1.158–18.79) were all determinants of ASD in children. In conclusion, maternal nutrition, postnatal conditions, and nutritional status might be contributors to ASD in children. Pre-school children are at high risk for developing nutritional deficiencies. It is therefore important to maintain optimal nutritional status in pregnant patients, and in children after delivery and during early childhood. Future studies that investigate the role of nutrient deficiencies and nutritional interventions in ASD are necessary. Also required are studies that focus on gender differences in the prevalence of ASD, types and severity of symptoms, and ASD nutrition-related problems.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2021.627011/fullautism spectrum disordernutritional statuschildrenmaternaldeterminant factorsJordan
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Hana Alkhalidy
Amal Abushaikha
Khadeejah Alnaser
Mohammad D. Obeidat
Islam Al-Shami
spellingShingle Hana Alkhalidy
Amal Abushaikha
Khadeejah Alnaser
Mohammad D. Obeidat
Islam Al-Shami
Nutritional Status of Pre-school Children and Determinant Factors of Autism: A Case-Control Study
Frontiers in Nutrition
autism spectrum disorder
nutritional status
children
maternal
determinant factors
Jordan
author_facet Hana Alkhalidy
Amal Abushaikha
Khadeejah Alnaser
Mohammad D. Obeidat
Islam Al-Shami
author_sort Hana Alkhalidy
title Nutritional Status of Pre-school Children and Determinant Factors of Autism: A Case-Control Study
title_short Nutritional Status of Pre-school Children and Determinant Factors of Autism: A Case-Control Study
title_full Nutritional Status of Pre-school Children and Determinant Factors of Autism: A Case-Control Study
title_fullStr Nutritional Status of Pre-school Children and Determinant Factors of Autism: A Case-Control Study
title_full_unstemmed Nutritional Status of Pre-school Children and Determinant Factors of Autism: A Case-Control Study
title_sort nutritional status of pre-school children and determinant factors of autism: a case-control study
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
series Frontiers in Nutrition
issn 2296-861X
publishDate 2021-02-01
description Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder triggered by several factors, including those of genetic and environmental nature. ASD can alter communication, behavior, and children's nutritional status, placing them at high risk for nutritional imbalances. Therefore, this study aims to assess preschool autistic children's nutritional status as compared to that of Typically Developing (TD) children of the same age. The study also revealed some of the ASD risk factors among the Jordanian population. It included 52 ASD and 51 TD children (3–6 years), and considered sociodemographic, obstetric, and nutritional factors of the two groups, stratified by gender. Nutritional status was evaluated through a comprehensive questionnaire, 3-day food record, and anthropometric and biochemical measurements. Differences between groups were identified using the chi-square and independent-sample t-test. The logistic regression model was used after the adjustment of confounders to detect an autistic child's determinants. The study showed little difference between ASD and TD children with respect to nutrients' intake inadequacy and biochemical-nutritional deficiencies, but did reveal gender-based differences. Autistic girls were at higher risk of inadequate carbohydrate intake, while autistic boys were at higher risk of inadequate vitamin E, vitamin K, and fluoride compared to TD children. More autistic children had been treated in neonatal care units after birth than had TD children. The regression analysis revealed that lower maternal education level (OR, 12.25; 95% CI, 1.18–126.91), vaginal delivery (OR, 0.273; 95% CI, 0.105–0.712), family history of autism (OR, 0.189; 95% CI, 0.059–0.612), and taking dietary supplements during pregnancy (OR, 4.665; 95% CI, 1.158–18.79) were all determinants of ASD in children. In conclusion, maternal nutrition, postnatal conditions, and nutritional status might be contributors to ASD in children. Pre-school children are at high risk for developing nutritional deficiencies. It is therefore important to maintain optimal nutritional status in pregnant patients, and in children after delivery and during early childhood. Future studies that investigate the role of nutrient deficiencies and nutritional interventions in ASD are necessary. Also required are studies that focus on gender differences in the prevalence of ASD, types and severity of symptoms, and ASD nutrition-related problems.
topic autism spectrum disorder
nutritional status
children
maternal
determinant factors
Jordan
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2021.627011/full
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