Somatic Features and Diet Therapy of Children with Delays in Psychospeech Development of the Autism Spectrum

Study Objective: To study the somatic features and the effect of elimination diets (gluten-free and casein-free, GFCF) on the somatic and neuropsychiatric status of children with delayed speech development (PVDD) of the autistic spectrum.

Study Design: Randomized open prospective study.

Material and Methods. 105 children (71 boys and 34 girls) with PVDD of various genesis aged from 1 year 6 months to 6 years 7 months were under observation. The observed children were randomly divided into two groups: 53 children (the first group) received a GFCF diet, 52 (the second group) received regular preschool meals. Laboratory and paraclinical parameters of all patients of both groups were evaluated before the start of follow-up, as well as 6 and 12 months after that. The analysis of anamnesis data, objective examination using specialized scales Integrative Medicine Assessment Scale (IMAS) 1 and 2, Childhood Autism Rating Scale, Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC), IntegrativeMedicine Patients Parent Scale, laboratory and instrumental diagnostics, including immunological blood testing for total immunoglobulins of classes A, M, G, E, antibodies to tissue transglutaminase of classes A and G, antibodies to casein of class G, genetic analysis, if necessary, ultrasound examination of abdominal organs, kidneys, heart, transcranial ultrasound dopplerography of cerebral vessels, magnetic resonance imaging of the brain. All the children were consulted by a neurologist, a psychiatrist, a geneticist, a surdologist.

Study Results. There was a decrease in the levels of antibodies to transglutaminase after 12 months (from 5.3 ± 1.7 U/ml to 4.8 ± 1.5 U/ml; p < 0.009) and to casein (from 6.7 ± 1.3 mg/l to 6.0 ± 1.2 mg/l). The results of clinical and laboratory observation showed significant positive dynamics in the group receiving diet therapy: after 6 and 12 months from the start of observation, the number of children without stim increased (by 1.5 and 2.3 times), as well as without digestive problems; after 6 months, the proportion of pronounced stereotypes decreased by 2.3 times; after 12 months the number of patients with stereotypes decreased by 4.2 times, problems with chewing were reduced, according to the IMAS somatic status assessment scale, the total score was 1.25 times less.

Conclusion. The effectiveness of the GFCF diet in children with autism spectrum ASD in a modern clinic under the control of clinical and laboratory data is shown. The absence of antibodies to transglutaminase, casein or their normal level does not exclude the need to follow a diet that positively affects the neuropsychiatric and somatic status of children with PVDD.

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