Clinical and functional profile of children with autism spectrum disorders

Introduction. Currently, the gain in the number of children patients diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) has been recorded. The key feature of the given group is the polysystemic expression, with considerable disruption of the central nervous system, gastrointestinal tract and immune processes. The research of their counteraction and development is essential for determining tactics for ASD patients’ combination treatment. Aim of the study is to present a clinical and functional patient profile with Autism Spectrum Disorders based on the clinical, medical and social trial. Materials and methods. We conducted a pilot observational, comparative study within two groups of children (62 ASD patients and 48 healthy children dominated by boys). The examination included receiving complaints, objective assessment by the paediatrician and neurologist, filling in medical records, covering complaints and the results of patients’ objective examination and parents/caretakers surveys. Results. The study revealed the predominance of complaints about mental disruptions over somatic complaints. Notably, parents/ caretakers indicated the presence of sleep disturbances (up to 22.5%) and specific eating habits (up to 27.4%) in their children. Young patients in the group under consideration exposed signs of allergic diseases chronic intoxication syndromes and micronutrient deficiencies. Nearly one-third of children reported the presence of functional disorders/digestive diseases. Conclusion. Young patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder are diagnosed with burdened physical status in the form of functional disruptions and diseases. These findings necessitate the paediatrician’s active early detection of organs’ malformation and require somatic systematic monitoring by the psychiatrist and skilled attendance of other medical specialists.

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Comparative characteristics of the distribution of alleles and polymorphisms of the folate cycle genes in children with autism spectrum disorders and healthy children of Grodno and Grodno region

Vestnik of Vitebsk State Medical University ◽

10.22263/2312-4156.2020.3.106 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 19 (3) ◽

pp. 106-111

Author(s):

S.V. Biziukevich ◽

◽

V.A. Karpiuk ◽

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽

Children With Autism ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Healthy Children ◽

Spectrum Disorders ◽

Folate Cycle

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HEALTH CONDITION IN PERSONS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS

10.31235/osf.io/jhx9e ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Vladimir Trajkovski

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽

Sleep Disturbances ◽

Relevant Literature ◽

Large Population ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Whole Body ◽

Food Allergies ◽

Compulsive Disorder ◽

Co Morbidity ◽

Spectrum Disorders

Introduction: Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are behaviourally defined syndromes where the etiology and pathophysiology are not very well understood. If the child has been diagnosed with autism, parents already face special behavioural challenges. What makes ASD even more difficult, are the many other medical health issues that often arise in this population.The purpose of this article is to summarise the latest understanding of autism’s commonly associated physical and mental health conditions.Methods: An analysis of relevant literature, sources from the internet and published literature, personal experience and observations of the author.Recent findings: Autism is a disorder of the whole body. It is often in co-morbidity with: epilepsy, gastrointestinal disorders, neuro-inflammation and immunological disorders, asthma, eczema, sleep disturbances, eating and feeding disorders, food allergies, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), headaches, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, depression, schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, Fragile X syndrome, intellectual disability, nonverbal learning disorder, motor clumsiness, Tourette syndrome, sensory problems, tuberous sclerosis, oxidative stress, acquired mitochondrial dysfunction and metabolic abnormalities. Many of the issues outlined here can overlap each other.Conclusions:Improved understanding of the underlying pathology of ASD and associated conditions, and the development of a common purpose across multiple treating sites, can improve the consistent and coordinated healthcare of children with autism. There is need for the development of improved strategies for delivering effective health education and healthcare to this large population. Improving the ability of these persons to lead relatively independent lives has a great economic impact.

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International Expert Opinions and Recommendations on the Use of Melatonin in the Treatment of Insomnia and Circadian Sleep Disturbances in Adult Neuropsychiatric Disorders

Frontiers in Psychiatry ◽

10.3389/fpsyt.2021.688890 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Laura Palagini ◽

Raffaele Manni ◽

Eugenio Aguglia ◽

Mario Amore ◽

Roberto Brugnoli ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽

Psychiatric Disorders ◽

Mood Disorders ◽

Sleep Disturbances ◽

Neuropsychiatric Disorders ◽

Immediate Release ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Neurocognitive Disorders ◽

Prolonged Release ◽

Spectrum Disorders

Introduction: Insomnia and circadian rhythm disorders, such as the delayed sleep phase syndrome, are frequent in psychiatric disorders and their evaluation and management in early stages should be a priority. The aim of this paper was to express recommendations on the use of exogenous melatonin, which exhibits both chronobiotic and sleep-promoting actions, for the treatment of these sleep disturbances in psychiatric disorders.Methods: To this aim, we conducted a systematic review according to PRISMA on the use of melatonin for the treatment of insomnia and circadian sleep disorders in neuropsychiatry. We expressed recommendations for the use of melatonin in psychiatric clinical practice for each disorder using the RAND/UCLA appropriateness method.Results: We selected 41 studies, which included mood disorders, schizophrenia, substance use disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorders, autism spectrum disorders, neurocognitive disorders, and delirium; no studies were found for both anxiety and eating disorders.Conclusion: The administration of prolonged release melatonin at 2–10 mg, 1–2 h before bedtime, might be used in the treatment of insomnia symptoms or comorbid insomnia in mood disorders, schizophrenia, in adults with autism spectrum disorders, neurocognitive disorders and during sedative-hypnotics discontinuation. Immediate release melatonin at <1 mg might be useful in the treatment of circadian sleep disturbances of neuropsychiatric disorders.

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Autism spectrum disorders and sleep disturbances in a pediatric patient

Mental Health Clinician ◽

10.9740/mhc.n188366 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 4 (2) ◽

pp. 47-51

Author(s):

Nancy Brahm ◽

Doug Stewart

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽

Pediatric Patient ◽

Sleep Disturbances ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorders

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Frequencies of Allergic Diseases Among Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Asthma Allergy Immunology ◽

10.21911/aai.170 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Fatma Akpınar ◽

Günsel Kutluk ◽

Gülcan Özomay ◽

Özgür YORBİK ◽

Feyzullah Çetinkaya

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽

Children With Autism ◽

Allergic Diseases ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorders

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High Complement Factor I Activity in the Plasma of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Autism Research and Treatment ◽

10.1155/2012/868576 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 2012 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Naghi Momeni ◽

Lars Brudin ◽

Fatemeh Behnia ◽

Berit Nordström ◽

Ali Yosefi-Oudarji ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽

Immune System ◽

Complement System ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Social Orientation ◽

Complement Factor ◽

Healthy Children ◽

Factor I ◽

Complement Factor I ◽

Spectrum Disorders

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are neurodevelopmental and behavioural syndromes affecting social orientation, behaviour, and communication that can be classified as developmental disorders. ASD is also associated with immune system abnormality. Immune system abnormalities may be caused partly by complement system factor I deficiency. Complement factor I is a serine protease present in human plasma that is involved in the degradation of complement protein C3b, which is a major opsonin of the complement system. Deficiency in factor I activity is associated with an increased incidence of infections in humans. In this paper, we show that the mean level of factor I activity in the ASD group is significantly higher than in the control group of typically developed and healthy children, suggesting that high activity of complement factor I might have an impact on the development of ASD.

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Commercial microbiota test revealed differences in the composition of intestinal microorganisms between children with autism spectrum disorders and neurotypical peers

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-03794-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Magdalena Jendraszak ◽

Mirosława Gałęcka ◽

Małgorzata Kotwicka ◽

Aleksandra Regdos ◽

Michalina Pazgrat-Patan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽

Negative Correlation ◽

Children With Autism ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Healthy Children ◽

E Coli ◽

Intestinal Microorganisms ◽

Akkermansia Muciniphila ◽

Spectrum Disorders ◽

Positive Correlations

AbstractThe early-life modifications of intestinal microbiota may impact children's subsequent emotional and cognitive development. Studies show that some bacteria species in gut microbiota, and the lack of others, may play a key role in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) development. Fecal samples were obtained from three groups of children: 16 healthy, 24 with allergies (ALG), and 33 with ASD (probiotics and non-probiotics users). The analysis was carried out according to the KyberKompakt Pro protocol. We observed a significantly higher level of Klebsiella spp. in the healthy children from the non-probiotics group, considering three groups. In the same group, Bifidobacterium spp. the level was lower in ASD compared to neurotypical individuals. In healthy children who did not use probiotics, strong positive correlations were observed in E. coli and Enterococcus spp. and Bacteroides and Klebsiella spp., and a negative correlation for Akkermansia muciniphila with both Klebsiella spp. and Bacteroides spp. In the ASD group who take probiotics, a strongly negative correlation was observed in Lactobacillus spp., and both Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Akkermansia muciniphila levels. In the ALG group, the strongest, negative correlation was found between Enterococcus spp. and Lactobacillus spp. as in Akkermansia muciniphila and Bifidobacterium spp. The simple commercial test revealed minor differences in the composition of intestinal microorganisms between children with autism spectrum disorders and neurotypical peers.

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Nightmares in Children with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and Their Typically Developing Peers

Clocks & Sleep ◽

10.3390/clockssleep3030033 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 3 (3) ◽

pp. 465-481

Author(s):

Rabya Mughal ◽

Siu Sing Wong ◽

Dagmara Dimitriou ◽

Elizabeth Halstead

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽

Executive Functioning ◽

Sleep Disturbances ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Typically Developing ◽

Sleep Habits ◽

Children With Asd ◽

Behaviour Rating ◽

Spectrum Disorders ◽

Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

Children with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) experience significantly higher rates of sleep disturbances than their typically developing (TD) peers. Pre-sleep anxiety and waking emotional content is known to affect the content and frequency of nightmares, which can be distressing to children and caregivers. This is the first study to analyse nightmare frequency and content in FASD, and to assess its association with psychometric outcomes. Using online caregiver questionnaires, we assessed reports from 277 caregivers of children with ASD (n = 61), FASD (n = 112), and TD children (n = 104) using the Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ), the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL), the Spence Children’s Anxiety Scale (SCAS), and the Behaviour Rating Inventory for Executive Functioning (BRIEF). Within the ASD group, 40.3% of caregivers reported their children had nightmares. Within the FASD group, 73.62% of caregivers reported their children had nightmares, and within the TD group, 21.36% of caregivers reported their children had nightmares. Correlation analysis revealed significant associations between anxiety and nightmares, maladaptive behaviour and nightmares, and executive functioning and nightmares in the TD and FASD groups, but not ASD group. This paper adds to the emerging body of work supporting the need for sleep interventions as part of clinical practice with regard to children with ASD and FASD. As a relatively niche but important area of study, this warrants much needed further research.

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