Effect of secretin on children with autism: a randomized controlled trial.
To determine the effect of intravenous porcine secretin on autistic behaviours in children aged 2 to 7 years, the effects of secretin on (1) performance on a standardized language measure, and (2) autistic behaviours, as rated by parents and child development professionals was examined. Employing a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design, 95 participants were assigned to one of two groups and administered a single dose of either secretin or placebo. A follow-up assessment was conducted 3 weeks after the injection. No significant differences in language or autistic behaviour measures were observed at the 3-week follow-up between the groups. Also, there was no significant difference in the proportion of individuals who improved by > or = 6 points on the language measure at follow-up. This study showed no significant effects of secretin on children with autism. Our results are consistent with a systematic review of randomized controlled trials evaluating the effect of secretin in children with autism.
Dunn-Geier
J
J
Child Development Service, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, Canada. dunngeier@cheo.on.ca
Ho
H H
HH
Auersperg
E
E
Doyle
D
D
Eaves
L
L
Matsuba
C
C
Orrbine
E
E
Pham
B
B
Whiting
S
S
D000818:Animals; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003071:Cognition; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D012633:Secretin / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013552:Swine; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D012633:Secretin