Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 22 South
Greene Street, N5W70, Box 140, Baltimore, MD 21201-1595, USA. E-mail:
khorvath@umaryland.edu
Autism is a collection of behavioral symptoms characterized by dysfunction in
social interaction and communication in affected children. It is typically
associated with restrictive, repetitive, and stereotypic behavior and manifests
within the first 3 years of life. The cause of this disorder is not known. Over
the past decade, a significant upswing in research has occurred to examine the
biologic basis of autism. Recent clinical studies have revealed a high
prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms, inflammation, and dysfunction in
children with autism. Mild to moderate degrees of inflammation were found in
both the upper and lower intestinal tract. In addition, decreased sulfation
capacity of the liver, pathologic intestinal permeability, increased secretory
response to intravenous secretin injection, and decreased digestive enzyme
activities were reported in many children with autism. Treatment of digestive
problems appears to have positive effects on autistic behavior. These new
observations represent only a piece of the unsolved autism "puzzle" and should
stimulate more research into the brain-gut connection.
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MATERIAL CONTAINED, PRESENTED, OR PROVIDED HERE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION
PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS REFLECTING THE KNOWLEDGE OR OPINIONS
OF THE PUBLISHER, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR INTENDED AS PROVIDING MEDICAL OR
LEGAL ADVICE. THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO VACCINATE IS AN IMPORTANT AND
COMPLEX ISSUE AND SHOULD BE MADE BY YOU, AND YOU ALONE, IN CONSULTATION WITH
YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.
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