Gastrointestinal Problems in Chinese Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Purpose Gastrointestinal symptoms in individuals with autism spectrum disorder may constitute a subgroup with complex gut-brain interactions underlying the pathogenesis. This study examined the prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms in a sample of Chinese children with autism spectrum disorder, as well as the factors related to them. Participants and Methods The participants included a clinic sample of 107 children with autism spectrum disorder and 249 gender- and age-matched typically developing community children. Results Results found children with autism spectrum disorder to be twice as likely to suffer from gastrointestinal symptoms, reporting increased rates of constipation, abdominal migraine and aerophagia. Autism spectrum disorder diagnosis remained a significant predictor of gastrointestinal symptoms after taking into account the potential confounders that included comorbid psychopathologies, diets, and parental anxiety and depression. Conclusion Our results suggest that autism spectrum disorder with gastrointestinal symptoms may constitute a subgroup within the autism spectrum disorder population that warrants further investigation.