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Dietary patterns, not gut microbiome composition, are associated with behavioral challenges in children with autism: An observational study
This research article investigates the gut bacteriome and mycobiome of children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in comparison to their non-ASD siblings and parents. The study, which included 17 children with ASD, 9 siblings, and 27 parents, assessed dietary intake using 7-day food diaries completed by 79 participants. The findings revealed no significant differences in microbiome diversity across the groups; however, notable dietary patterns emerged. Children with ASD were found to consume higher quantities of sweets and sugary foods, lower amounts of vegetables, and exhibited reduced dietary diversity. Statistical analyses indicated that these dietary factors, rather than microbial composition, accounted for variations in ASD diagnosis. The results suggest that the selective and repetitive eating behaviors characteristic of ASD may influence dietary intake, subsequently affecting gut microbial diversity. This study emphasizes the need to consider dietary variables in microbiome research and advocates for targeted nutritional interventions to enhance health outcomes for individuals with ASD. [NPID: Autism Spectrum Disorder, ASD, sweets, sugar, vegetables, dietary diversity, microbial diversity]
Year: 2025
