Autistic Children May Be Fussy Eaters, Slow to Eat Solids

BRISTOL, EnglandIn a recent study published in Pediatrics, British researchers compared 70 children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to 12, 901 children without an ASD, as parents of autistic children often admit their children dont eat a wide variety of food and consider them slow feeders (July 19, 2010). After comparing the two groups of children, Alan Emond, M.D., and Pauline Emmett, Ph.D., of the University of Bristol in England and colleagues found ASD kids were more likely to be slower eaters by six months.

Data on feeding and food frequency were collected by questionnaires completed at 6, 15, 24, 38 and 54 months by participants in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children; and a food variety score was created. Median ages of ASD children were 28 months at referral and 45 months at diagnosis. ASD infants showed late introduction of solids after six months (P =0.004). From 15 to 54 months, ASD children were consistently reported to be "difficult to feed" (P<0.001) and "very choosy" (P<0.001). From 15 months, the ASD group had a less varied diet than controls, were more likely to have different meals from their mother from 24 months, and by 54 months 8 percent of ASD children were taking a special diet for "allergy."

ASD children consumed less vegetables, salad and fresh fruit, but also less sweets and fizzy drinks. At 38 months intakes of energy, total fat, carbohydrate and protein were similar, but the ASD group consumed less vitamins C (P =0.02) and D (P=0.003). There were no differences in weight, height or body mass index (BMI) at 18 months and seven years, or in hemoglobin concentrations at seven years. Researchers concluded ASD children showed feeding symptoms from infancy and had a less varied diet from 15 months, but energy intake and growth were not impaired.