Two new studies found that children who have autism tend to have digestive problems, but a gluten-free diet will not help them.

Researchers from Vanderbilt University medical Center studied 1185 children ages 2 to 18 years old, who had been diagnosed with autistic symptoms. About 45% had problems such as abdominal pain, constipation, and diarrhea. Children over seven years of age tended to have more such problems. About 70% also had sleep problems, according to the study presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies' annual meeting.

The second study was from the University of Texas at Austin, where researchers went through 15 major previous studies published on the relationship between diet and autism. They concluded there is no scientific evidence that gluten-free diets improve an autistic child's behavior, and that such diets can reduce bone thickness.
 

Labels: autism

Posted By: 4ADHD.com