Effectiveness of the gluten-free, casein-free diet for children diagnosed with ASD

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Effectiveness of the gluten-free, casein-free diet for children

diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder: Based on parental report

<http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/maney/nns/pre-prints/1476830512Y.00000000\

03;jsessionid=264dvj6ijunfa.alice>

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*Authors:* /Pennesi, M.; Klein, Cousino/

Appeared or available online: February 16, 2012

Objectives:

Studies on the gluten-free and/or casein-free (GFCF) dietary

intervention for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) suggest

that some children may positively respond to implementation of the

dietary intervention. Other research suggests that children diagnosed

with ASD can be classified into subpopulations based on various factors,

including gastrointestinal (GI) abnormalities and immune function.

Methods:

This study analyzes parental report data collected using a 90-item

online questionnaire from 387 parents or primary caregivers of children

diagnosed with ASD on the efficacy of the GFCF diet. Parents reported on

their child's GI symptoms, food allergy diagnoses, and suspected food

sensitivities, as well as the degree and length of their diet

implementation.

Results:

Overall, diet efficacy among children whose parents reported the

presence of GI symptoms, food allergy diagnoses, and suspected food

sensitivities included greater improvement in ASD behaviors,

physiological symptoms, and social behaviors compared with children

whose parents reported none of these symptoms, diagnoses, or

sensitivities (P < 0.05). Parental report of strict diet implementation,

indicated by complete gluten/casein elimination and infrequent diet

errors during and outside of parental care, also corresponded to

improvement in ASD behaviors, physiological symptoms, and social

behaviors (P < 0.05).

Discussion:

These findings suggest that various intricacies related to diet

implementation and GI and immune factors may play a role in

differentiating diet responders from diet non-responders and

substantiate the importance of further investigations into the various,

nuanced factors that influence efficacy of the intervention among

children with ASDs.