The Gluten-Free/Casein-Free Diet: A Double-Blind Challenge Trial in Children with Autism.
To obtain information on the safety and efficacy of the gluten-free/casein-free (GFCF) diet, we placed 14 children with autism, age 3-5 years, on the diet for 4-6 weeks and then conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled challenge study for 12 weeks while continuing the diet, with a 12-week follow-up. Dietary challenges were delivered via weekly snacks that contained gluten, casein, gluten and casein, or placebo. With nutritional counseling, the diet was safe and well-tolerated. However, dietary challenges did not have statistically significant effects on measures of physiologic functioning, behavior problems, or autism symptoms. Although these findings must be interpreted with caution because of the small sample size, the study does not provide evidence to support general use of the GFCF diet.
Division of Neurodevelopmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester Medical Center, 265 Crittenden Blvd., Rochester, NY, 14620, USA. Susan_Hyman@URMC.Rochester.edu.
Susan L
SL
Hyman
Department of Pediatrics and Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, Saunders Research Building, University of Rochester Medical Center, 265 Crittenden Blvd., Rochester, NY, 14642, USA.
Patricia A
PA
Stewart
Division of Neurodevelopmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester Medical Center, 265 Crittenden Blvd., Rochester, NY, 14620, USA.
Jennifer
J
Foley
Division of Neurodevelopmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester Medical Center, 265 Crittenden Blvd., Rochester, NY, 14620, USA.
Usa
U
Cain
Department of Pediatrics and Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, Saunders Research Building, University of Rochester Medical Center, 265 Crittenden Blvd., Rochester, NY, 14642, USA.
Robin
R
Peck
Division of Neurodevelopmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester Medical Center, 265 Crittenden Blvd., Rochester, NY, 14620, USA.
Danielle D
DD
Morris
Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, Saunders Research Building, University of Rochester Medical Center, 265 Crittenden Blvd., Rochester, NY, 14642, USA.
Hongyue
H
Wang
Division of Neurodevelopmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester Medical Center, 265 Crittenden Blvd., Rochester, NY, 14620, USA.
Tristram
T
Smith
D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000178:diet therapy*; D002364:Caseins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002675:Child, Preschool; D055050:Diet, Gluten-Free; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005983:Glutens / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male
D002364:Caseins; D005983:Glutens
Autism; Casein-free; Diet therapy; Gluten-free; Treatment outcomes