scholarly journals Comparing Levels of Urinary Phthalate Metabolites in Egyptian Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Healthy Control Children: Referring to Sources of Phthalate Exposure

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (B) ◽  
pp. 1640-1646
Author(s):  
Manal Shehata ◽  
Ebtissam Salah ◽  
Mai M. Youssef ◽  
Mones Mahmoud Abu Shady ◽  
Inas El-Alameey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solid Phase ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
Phthalate Metabolites ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Phthalate Exposure ◽  
Egyptian Children ◽  
Healthy Control

Background: Evidence supporting environmental risk factors of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is rising. Phthalates are assumed to contribute to this risk due to their extensive use in daily life as plasticizers and additives in numerous customer products. Phthalates are also accused as a neurotoxic agent affecting brain development. Aim: The main objective of this study is to compare the concentrations of urinary phthalate metabolites as biomarkers of phthalate exposure in children with autism to that of a healthy control group and to compare their exposure to suspected environmental sources of phthalate. Methods: It was a case-control study; conducted over a period of one year. Thirty-eight children with ASD and 99 apparently healthy children comprised the control group, were enrolled in the study. Urinary concentrations of four phthalate metabolites were measured, using a combination of solid phase extraction, high pressure liquid chromatography, and tandem mass spectrometry. Results: Children with ASD comprised 38 children (32 boys and 6 girls), their mean age was 8.95 + 4.17 years. There were significant higher levels of urinary Mono (2ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP), mono benzyl, and mono butyl phthalates in cases vs. controls with p value equals (0.006, 0.017 and <0.001) respectively. Regression analysis revealed that male gender and the level of mono butyl are the main predictors of ASD (p<0.001). Conclusion: This study suggested a link between phthalates and ASD with higher urinary levels of phthalate metabolites in children with ASD. These high levels are either due to increased exposure or defective metabolism in children with ASD. The study declined any relationship of the studied sources of phthalate exposure to ASD except the exposure to wall painting with plastic.

Influence the Baths of Bishophite on Indicators of Protein S100B in Blood in Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (4) ◽  
pp. 48-54
Author(s):  
T.F. Golubova ◽  
L.A. Tsukurova ◽  
A.V. Nuvoli ◽  
S.V. Vlasenko ◽  
E.A. Savchuk E.A.
Keyword(s):  
Children With Autism ◽  
Brain Structures ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Abnormal Development ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Protein S100b ◽  
The Brain

The aim of the study was to study the effect of bishovite baths on the dynamics of plasma S100B protein in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Material and methods. 45 children with autism (F84) aged from 6 to 15 years were examined – general croup (GG). The control group (KG) consisted of 25 healthy children. I group – 22 children who received the health research therapy (HRT); II group – 23 children who received a course of the baths with bishophite. The examination included examination by specialists, an assessment of the severity of the disease using the CARS scale (Children’s Rating Scale of Autism), evaluation in blood serum of protein S100B. Results. The content of S100B in children with autism was significantly higher in comparison with KG. The level of S100B in children with ASD with abnormal development of brain structures (MRI) was significantly higher in comparison with KG and with a group of children without signs of violation of brain structures. With hard ASD the S100B indicators were higher, and at medium severity did not differ significantly from the KG. After the treatment only in the II group, there was a significant decrease in S100B in GG in children with abnormalities in the development of the brain and with severe severity. Conclusions. The majority of children with ASD with anomalies of brain structures, there are signs of hypoxia of the brain and violation of the blood-brain barrier. A positive effect of bischophite baths was revealed in children with ASD, having antioxidant, antitoxic, and neuroprotective effects.

scholarly journals Parenting Behavior in Mothers of Preschool Children with ASD: Development of a Self-Report Questionnaire

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Greet Lambrechts ◽  
Jarymke Maljaars ◽  
Hannah Boonen ◽  
Lotte van Esch ◽  
Karla Van Leeuwen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Children ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Parenting Behavior ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Factor Analyses ◽  
Factor Solution ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Gender And Age

Parents of young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) encounter many daily challenges and often experience much stress. However, little research exists about parenting behavior among these parents. With this study, we aim to address this gap. We examined the structure and internal consistency of a questionnaire intended to measure parenting behavior among mothers of young children with ASD. Furthermore, we compared parenting behavior among mothers of young children with and without ASD between two and six years old. Factor analyses resulted in a factor solution with seven subscales of parenting behavior. Two additional subscales especially relevant for parenting preschoolers with ASD were also considered.Analyses of covariance, controlling for gender and age, showed significantly higher scores forDisciplineandStimulating the Developmentin the control group in comparison with the ASD group. These findings suggest that mothers of preschoolers with ASD are still trying to find strategies to guide and stimulate their child’s behavior and development effectively.

scholarly journals Effects of an attachment-based parent intervention on mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder: preliminary findings from a non-randomized controlled trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nobuyo Kubo ◽  
Megumi Kitagawa ◽  
Sayaka Iwamoto ◽  
Toshifumi Kishimoto
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Children With Asd

Abstract Background Caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) often experience difficulties in responding appropriately to the needs of those children, who typically express attachment in distinct and nonconventional ways. This highlights the need for an attachment-based approach targeted at caregivers of children with ASD. Circle of Security Parenting (COSP), an attachment-based parenting program, is designed to increase caregivers’ sensitivity to children’s attachment needs. The aim of this study was to provide verification of the effectiveness of COSP in mothers of children with ASD. Methods This study was a non-randomized controlled trial. Sixty mothers of children with ASD aged 4–12 were recruited. Twenty mothers received the COSP intervention, while 40 did not. The characteristics of children in the control group were matched with those of the intervention group. To evaluate the outcomes of the intervention, changes in parental self-efficacy and mental health were assessed using the Tool to Measure Parenting Self-Efficacy (TOPSE) and the General Health Questionnaire-30 (GHQ-30). The children’s improvement in emotional and behavioral problems was assessed from the mothers’ perspective using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Both groups completed the assessments in parallel. Evaluations were compared between baseline (T1) and 6-month follow-up (T2). Results Scores for self-efficacy and mental health of mothers and behavior of children were significantly improved from T1 to T2 in the intervention group, but not in the control group. Participants’ mental health was markedly worsened in the control group. Conclusion This study demonstrated that the COSP program for mothers of children with ASD improved their parental self-efficacy and mental health, and reduced their subjective sense of difficulties related to their children’s behaviors. Our findings support the effectiveness of the attachment-based program for mothers of children with ASD, providing the groundwork for further studies of the attachment-based intervention for children with ASD and their families. Future studies with larger samples and randomization are also needed for direct evaluation of the improvement of children's attachment security, and for exploration of the synergistic relationship between various family support strategies and COSP. Trial Registration This trial was registered with the University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trial Registry (No. UMIN000039574)

scholarly journals Abnormal Pressure Pain, Touch Sensitivity, Proprioception, and Manual Dexterity in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inmaculada Riquelme ◽  
Samar M. Hatem ◽  
Pedro Montoya
Keyword(s):  
Motor Performance ◽  
Pain Sensitivity ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Fine Motor ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Touch Sensitivity ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Fine Motor Performance

Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) often display an abnormal reactivity to tactile stimuli, altered pain perception, and lower motor skills than healthy children. Nevertheless, these motor and sensory deficits have been mostly assessed by using clinical observation and self-report questionnaires. The present study aims to explore somatosensory and motor function in children with ASD by using standardized and objective testing procedures.Methods. Tactile and pressure pain thresholds in hands and lips, stereognosis, proprioception, and fine motor performance of the upper limbs were assessed in high-functioning children with ASD(n=27)and compared with typically developing peers(n=30).  Results. Children with ASD showed increased pain sensitivity, increased touch sensitivity in C-tactile afferents innervated areas, and diminished fine motor performance and proprioception compared to healthy children. No group differences were observed for stereognosis.Conclusion. Increased pain sensitivity and increased touch sensitivity in areas classically related to affective touch (C-tactile afferents innervated areas) may explain typical avoiding behaviors associated with hypersensitivity. Both sensory and motor impairments should be assessed and treated in children with ASD.

scholarly journals Autism spectrum disorder is associated with gut microbiota disorder in children

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hairong Sun ◽  
Zhong You ◽  
Libo Jia ◽  
Fang Wang
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Stable State ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
16S Sequencing ◽  
Healthy Control ◽  
The Difference

Abstract Background The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence and clinical characteristics of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) associated to the stable state of the gut microbiota. Methods A total of 9 children with ASD and 6 healthy children used as control were selected and feces samples were collected from all of them. The 16S gene ribosomal RNA sequencing was used to analyze the difference in gut microbiota between healthy control children and ASD patients. Results The results of 16S sequencing based on operational taxonomic units (OTUs) analysis showed that the ASD group and the healthy control (HC) group had a large difference in the abundance of microbiota at the level of family, genus and species. The abundance of Bacteroidales and Selenomonadales was significantly lower in the ASD group than in the HC group (p = 0.0110 and p = 0.0076, respectively). The abundance of Ruminococcaceae in the ASD group was higher than that in the HC group (p = 0.0285), while the amount of Prevotellaceae was significantly lower in the ASD group than in the HC group (p = 0.0111). The Tax4Fun analysis based on Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) data indicated differentially expressed functional pathway between the ASD group and healthy control group associated to the nervous system, environmental information processing and cellular processing. Conclusions The abundance of gut microbiota in the ASD group is different from that in the healthy control children. These differences affect the biological function of the host. These results suggest that a disorder in the gut microbiota may be associated, at least in part, with ASD in children.

scholarly journals Effects of Mini-Basketball Training Program on Social Communication Impairment and Executive Control Network in Preschool Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (10) ◽  
pp. 5132
Author(s):  
Sixin Yang ◽  
Zhimei Liu ◽  
Xuan Xiong ◽  
Kelong Cai ◽  
Lina Zhu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Preschool Children ◽  
Functional Connectivity ◽  
Executive Control ◽  
Social Communication ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Control Network ◽  
Executive Control Network ◽  
Children With Asd

This study evaluated the effect of a 12-week mini-basketball training program (MBTP) on social communication (SC) and the executive control network (ECN) in preschool children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). We finally assigned 30 preschool children with ASD to an experiment group (n = 15, 12 males, 3 females) or a control group (n = 15, 13 males, 2 females). The experiment group participated in a 12-week MBTP (40-min sessions per day, 5 days a week), while the control group only received the institutional routine behavioral rehabilitation intervention. The SC of preschool children with ASD was measured using the Social Responsiveness Scale, Second Edition (SRS-2), whereas functional connectivity (FC) of the ECN was assessed using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) at pre-and post-test. Our results showed that SC exhibited significant improvement in the intervention group, especially in SRS-2 total score, social cognition, and social communication. We found significantly enhanced functional connectivity between the right cerebellum and left inferior frontal gyrus in the experimental group, while functional connectivity between the left middle temporal gyrus and right cerebellum were decreased in the control group. Furthermore, there were no significant correlations between the change in SC scores and FC of the ECN. Altogether, this study provides valuable insights that a 12-week MBTP improves SC and functional connectivity of the ECN in preschool children with ASD. We further inferred that neural mechanisms might be associated with changing the ECN of preschool ASD children caused by the 12-week MBTP.

Role of the gut-brain axis in the eating behavior of children with autism spectrum disorders

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Justyna Siwek ◽  
Aleksandra Kawala-Janik ◽  
Piotr Walecki
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Digestive System ◽  
Bacterial Flora ◽  
Food Products ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

AbstractIntroduction:The occurrence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) has significantly increased in the last few years. One of the common problems in this group are eating disorders and ailments from the gastrointestinal systems. According to some studies, these problems have a significant impact on the occurrence and severity of symptoms in the neurological system, so it is crucial to increase the attention paid on the role of diet in the treatment of this disease. One of the theories connects ASD with disorders of the digestive system and the intestinal bacterial flora. This theory is based on the gut-brain axis, which means the interaction between the gastrointestinal and nervous systems.Objectives:To demonstrate the differences in behavior habits, interest in nutrition, and frequency of consumption of food products between children suffering from ASD and healthy children.Materials and methods:The study was conducted among 44 children suffering from ASD and 33 healthy children as a control group. Data were collected using a questionnaire that was specially designed for this study. The questionnaire contained questions about eating habits and the frequency of consumption of selected food products.Results:Parents of healthy children showed more interest in their children’s way of feeding and nutritional recommendations compared to parents of children with ASD (4% and 11.3%, respectively). In addition, 24.3% more children with ASD consulted with a nutritionist compared to the control group. Complaints of the digestive system were 21.1% more likely by children with ASD. Children suffering from ASD were characterized by a higher intake of red meat and giblets and less frequent consumption of milk and milk products compared to the control group. There were no statistically significant differences between the study group and the control group in terms of frequency of consumption of products, which are the source of gluten, artificial food additives-preservatives, and artificial colors.Conclusions:There are differences in the habits and eating behaviors and the frequency of consumption of selected food products between a group of children with ASD and a group of healthy children.

scholarly journals The urinary biopterin in autism spectrum disorder

Pteridines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-22
Author(s):  
Aleksandra Waligóra ◽  
Aleksandra Damasiewicz-Bodzek ◽  
Piotr Gorczyca ◽  
Sławomir Waligóra ◽  
Krystyna Tyrpień-Golder
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
The Other ◽  
Urine Samples ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
Healthy Individuals ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract Objective The aim of the study was to determine whether biopterin is present in significantly lower quantities in urine samples of patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) compared to healthy individuals. Methods The concentration of biopterin in urine samples was measured by ELISA using commercially available kit. The study involved 53 children aged 3–16 years with ASD and 60 healthy children aged 2–14 years. Results Significantly lower biopterin concentration was observed in autistic patients compared to the control group. However, no significant difference was observed between mild, moderate, and severe ASD. Conclusion One of the potential causes of decrease in urinary biopterin levels may be tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) deficiency, which has extensive and serious health consequences for the nervous system. The results of measuring biopterin as a fully oxidized form of BH4 may suggest that biosynthesis or regeneration of BH4 may be decreased in children with ASD. On the other hand, decreased urinary biopterin levels in children with ASD may be due to BH4 overuse, a good regeneration process, and decreased urinary excretion; and abnormalities in BH4 metabolism appear to be related to the aetiology of ASD or may be due to ASD.

scholarly journals The Effects of Structured Physical Activity Program on Social Interaction and Communication for Children with Autism

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mengxian Zhao ◽  
Shihui Chen
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Social Skills ◽  
Social Interaction ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Physical Activity Program ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Activity Program ◽  
Experimental Group

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of structured physical activity program on social interaction and communication of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Fifty children with ASD from a special school were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. 25 children with ASD were placed in the experimental group, and the other 25 children as the control group participated in regular physical activity. A total of forty-one participants completed the study. A 12-week structured physical activity program was implemented with a total of 24 exercise sessions targeting social interaction and communication of children with ASD, and a quasi-experimental design was used for this study. Data were collected using quantitative and qualitative instruments. SSIS and ABLLS-R results showed that an overall improvement in social skills and social interaction for the experimental group across interim and posttests, F=8.425, p=0.001 (p<0.005), and significant improvements appeared in communication, cooperation, social interaction, and self-control subdomains (p<0.005). Conversely, no statistically significant differences were found in the control group (p>0.005). The study concluded that the special structured physical activity program positively influenced social interaction and communication skills of children with ASD, especially in social skills, communication, prompt response, and frequency of expression.

scholarly journals Children with Autism spectrum disorder are associated with gut microbiota disorder

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hairong Sun ◽  
Zhong You ◽  
Libo Jia ◽  
Fang Wang
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Stable State ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
16S Sequencing ◽  
Healthy Control ◽  
The Difference

Abstract Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence and clinical characteristics of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) associated to the stable state of the gut microbiota. Methods A total of 9 children with ASD and 6 healthy children used as control were selected and feces samples were collected from all of them. The 16S gene ribosomal RNA sequencing was used to analyze the difference in gut microbiota between healthy control children and ASD patients. Results The results of 16S sequencing based on operational taxonomic units (OTUs) analysis showed that the ASD group and the healthy control (HC) group had a large difference in the abundance of microbiota at the level of family, genus and species. The abundance of Bacteroidales and Selenomonadales was significantly lower in the ASD group than in the HC group (p=0.0110 and p=0.0076, respectively). The abundance of Ruminococcaceae in the ASD group was higher than that in the HC group (p=0.0265), while the amount of Prevotellaceae was significantly lower in the ASD group than in the HC group (p=0.0265). The Tax4Fun analysis based on Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) data indicated differentially expressed functional pathway between the ASD group and healthy control group associated to the nervous system, environmental information processing and cellular processing. Conclusions The abundance of gut microbiota in the ASD group is different from that in the healthy control children. These differences affect the biological function of the host. These results suggest that a disorder in the gut microbiota may be associated, at least in part, with ASD in children.

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