A longitudinal evaluation of gastrointestinal symptoms in children with autism spectrum disorder.

This study followed children with autism and typical children from age 2-12 to track stomach and bowel problems. Children with autism had more gut problems at every age, were more likely to have several gut issues at once, and these problems lasted longer. When children had more gut problems, they also had more trouble with sleep, communication, sensory issues, and repetitive behaviors. Parents should know that gut problems are common in autism and often treatable.

This longitudinal study followed 475 children (322 with autism, 153 typically developing) from ages 2-12 years to examine gastrointestinal symptoms without medical cause. Children with autism consistently experienced more gastrointestinal symptoms at each assessment point and were more likely to have multiple, persistent symptoms throughout childhood. The presence and number of gastrointestinal symptoms correlated with greater difficulties in internalizing behaviors, sleep, communication, sensory processing, and repetitive behaviors. The study used physician-administered parent interviews and rigorous clinical consensus for symptom classification, providing evidence that gastrointestinal issues are a significant and persistent comorbidity in autism that may impact multiple developmental domains.

Clinicians should routinely screen for gastrointestinal symptoms in children with autism throughout childhood, as these are common, persistent, and associated with broader behavioral and developmental challenges. Early identification and treatment of gastrointestinal issues may improve overall well-being and functioning across multiple domains including sleep, communication, and behavior regulation.

The study design type is not specified in the abstract. The methodology for symptom assessment relies on parent report through physician interviews, which may introduce reporting bias. The abstract does not detail statistical methods or effect sizes, limiting interpretation of clinical significance.

Gastrointestinal symptoms are frequently reported in children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. This study sought to determine the longitudinal trajectory of gastrointestinal symptoms without a medical etiology in children with autism compared to similar aged participants with typical development. A total of 475 children enrolled in this longitudinal study (322 autism spectrum disorder and 153 typical development groups) were evaluated at up to three time points between 2 and 12 years of age. Nine common gastrointestinal symptoms and formal medical gastrointestinal diagnosis were assessed using a physician-administered parent interview.

A rigorous symptom classification was performed by physicians via clinical consensus. The frequency and persistence of gastrointestinal symptoms across childhood were compared between groups. Associations between gastrointestinal symptoms and measures of internalizing and externalizing behaviors, sleep problems, sensory problems, restricted and repetitive behaviors, and social communication were also evaluated. Children with autism presented with more gastrointestinal symptoms at each time point, and they were also more likely to experience multiple and persistent gastrointestinal symptoms.

The presence and number of gastrointestinal symptoms were associated with greater impairment in internalizing behaviors, sleep, communication, sensory processing, and repetitive behaviors. Participants in the autism spectrum disorder group reported more gastrointestinal symptoms without known etiology throughout childhood in this longitudinal well-characterized sample.Lay AbstractChildren with autism have been found to experience more medical issues including gastrointestinal symptoms. In this study, participants in the autism group were more likely to experience gastrointestinal symptoms than their typically developing peers. They were also more likely to experience multiple gastrointestinal symptoms at the same time and more likely to have persistent gastrointestinal symptoms throughout their childhood.

Increased gastrointestinal symptoms were associated with more challenges with sleep, communication, sensory processing, and repetitive behaviors. Clinicians and parents should become more aware of the high occurrence of gastrointestinal problems in children with autism. If identified, these symptoms are often treatable which may improve their well-being.