Brief report: Association between behavioral features and gastrointestinal problems among children with autism spectrum disorder.
Recent reports suggest certain behaviors among children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) may indicate underlying gastro-intestinal (GI) problems, and that the presence of these behaviors may help alert primary care providers to the need to evaluate a child with ASD for GI problems. The purpose of this population-based study of 487 children with ASD, including 35 (7.2%) with a medically documented history of GI problems, was to compare behavioral features of children with and without a history of GI problems. Unusual sleeping or eating habits and oppositional behavior were significantly associated with GI problems. These behaviors, however, were frequent in both children with and without GI problems, suggesting they may have limited utility in a screening capacity for GI problems.
Waisman Center and Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1500 Highland Ave, Madison, WI 53705, USA. mjmaenner@wisc.edu
Matthew J
MJ
Maenner
Carrie L
CL
Arneson
Susan E
SE
Levy
Russell S
RS
Kirby
Joyce S
JS
Nicholas
Maureen S
MS
Durkin
D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011320:Primary Health Care