Apart from their behavioral problems, children affected with autism may experience a series of health issues, researchers reveal.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder that leads to significant social, communication and behavioral changes.
A team of researchers from the University of Missouri found anxiety, chronic gastrointestinal (GI) problems and atypical sensory responses (heightened reactions to light, sound or particular textures) more common among autistic children.
Gastrointestinal Disorders (GI) is a digestive disorder affecting the function of intestine. There are two types of GI - functional GI disorders (Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), chronic diarrhea, constipation and intestinal pain) and Inflammatory GI disorders (Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), Crohn's Disease and ulcerative colitis). According to the organization Autism Speaks, Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders are one of the most common medical conditions found among autistic people.
For the study, Micah Mazurek and colleagues analyzed nearly 3,000 autistic children and adolescents, part of the Autism Treatment Network (a network of 17 autism centers throughout North America). About one-fourth of the participants were found experiencing chronic GI problems like abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, nausea and constipation.
"These problems can have a very real impact on daily life. Children with anxiety may be distressed or reluctant to engage in new activities, and those with sensory problems may have trouble paying attention or participating in over-stimulating enviornments," Mazurek said. "These children may also suffer uncomfortable GI problems that they may not be able to communicate about to adults."
The findings are expected to improve the autistic children's life and treatment.
"Parents need to be aware that these problems may underlie some of their children's difficulties, so if they notice any symptoms, they should talk to their doctors or therapists about treatment options," Mazurek said. "Practitioners who work with children with ASD need to be mindful that there is a pretty high rate of these problems, so if children are treated for one issue, it may helpful to screen for these additional symptoms."
Findings of the study have been published in the Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, recently.
According to Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about one in every 88 children in the United States is affected by autism that starts normally by age three and stays throughout one's life. No medical or blood test is available for the early diagnosis of autism. The child's behavior and development are some of the factors used to determine the disorder.
