Association of feeding patterns in infancy with later autism symptoms and neurodevelopment: a national multicentre survey.

This study found that children with autism had different feeding patterns as babies compared to other children. They were breastfed for shorter periods, started solid foods later, and had more difficulty accepting new foods. Among children with autism, those who were breastfed longer (12+ months) showed fewer autism symptoms, while those who started solid foods very late had more developmental challenges.

This multicentre survey study compared infant feeding patterns between 1389 children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and 1190 typically developing children. Children with ASD demonstrated significantly shorter breastfeeding duration, later introduction of complementary foods, and poorer acceptance of complementary foods compared to controls. Within the ASD group, longer breastfeeding duration (≥12 months) was associated with lower autism symptom scores. Children with ASD who received complementary foods after 6 months showed poorer neurodevelopmental outcomes including lower general quotient, adaptive ability, fine motor, and language scores.

Poor acceptance of complementary foods correlated with higher autism symptom scores and lower gross motor scores.

Early identification of feeding difficulties may support autism screening. Healthcare providers should monitor infants with feeding challenges for neurodevelopmental concerns. Extended breastfeeding and timely complementary food introduction may benefit children at risk for ASD.

Cross-sectional design prevents causal inferences. Retrospective feeding data collection may introduce recall bias. No information provided about confounding variables or adjustment methods. Study type and specific methodology unclear from abstract.

We aimed to compare differences in infant feeding patterns (breastfeeding and complementary food supplementation) between children with the autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and typically developing (TD) children through a multicentre study. The relationship between these patterns and later core symptoms and neurodevelopment in children with ASD was also investigated. We analysed breastfeeding and complementary feeding patterns in 1389 children with ASD and 1190 TD children. The Children Neuropsychological and Behavior Scale-Revision 2016 (CNBS-R2016) was used to assess neurodevelopmental levels.

The Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC), Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS), Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), and ASD Warning Behavior Subscale of the CNBS-R2016 were used to assess ASD symptoms. Children with ASD had a shorter breastfeeding duration in infancy (8 (3-12) months vs. 10 (6-14) months, P < 0.001), later introduction of complementary foods (P < 0.001), and poorer acceptance of complementary foods (P < 0.001) than TD children. Total ABC and CARS scores were lower in the group of children with ASD who had been breastfed for 12 months or more than in the group who had been breastfed for less than 6 months. Children with ASD who were given complementary food after 6 months had lower general quotient (GQ), adaptive ability, fine motor and language scores than those who were given complementary food within 4-6 months.

Children with ASD with poor acceptance of complementary foods had higher ABC and SRS scores and lower gross motor scores than those who had good acceptance. Children with ASD have a shorter duration of breastfeeding, a later introduction of complementary foods, and poorer acceptance of complementary foods than TD children. These feeding patterns may be related to the symptoms and growth of children with ASD. The research suggests that continued breastfeeding for longer than 12 months may be beneficial in reducing ASD symptoms and that infants who have difficulty introducing complementary foods should be followed up for neurodevelopment.

The ethics committee of the Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University approved the study. Approval Number: (2018) IRB (STUDY) NO. 121, and registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (Registration number: ChiCTR2000031194, registered on 23/03/2020).