DESCRIP OF GASTROINTESTINAL SYMPTOMS IN CHILDREN W/AUTISM COMPARED TO CONTROLS

这个子项目是许多研究子项目中利用 资源由NIH/NCRR资助的中心拨款提供。子项目和 调查员(PI)可能从NIH的另一个来源获得了主要资金， 并因此可以在其他清晰的条目中表示。列出的机构是 该中心不一定是调查人员的机构。 腹泻、便秘和腹痛等胃肠道症状被认为是自闭症谱系障碍儿童的常见症状。由于这些信念，许多家庭认为非标准治疗。几乎没有数据来描述胃肠道症状或确定这些症状是否是自闭症特有的。更好地了解自闭症的胃肠道症状对于适当治疗自闭症儿童和推进研究至关重要。这项研究旨在调查自闭症儿童中胃肠道症状的患病率和特异性。人们将严格定义为自闭症的儿童与脆性X综合征、混合病因导致的发育迟缓儿童以及具有典型发育的儿童进行比较。一份为期七天的大便日记使用布里斯托尔大便形式量表来评估一致性，一份为期三天的饮食日记正在收集年龄在30到60个月之间的儿童。由于有一些证据表明，不正常的饮食会导致慢性非特异性腹泻，而且自闭症儿童经常有高度限制的饮食，因此确定饮食是否影响他们的胃肠道症状是很重要的。为了更好地了解胃肠道表型，将评估胃肠道症状与认知水平或退化史的关系。从研究和临床的角度来看，这个项目在自闭症领域都非常重要。表型亚型和内表型是寻找自闭症遗传原因的连锁研究所必需的。更好地了解大脑/肠道的相互作用对于更好地理解自闭症的病因有意义，也可能有助于治疗。此外，许多家庭选择尝试不含面筋和酪蛋白的饮食。该项目将帮助设计未来的项目，以便为家庭提供有关饮食的咨询信息。这些数据将作为疾控中心正在进行的多中心病例队列研究的试点数据。该议定书已被纳入基于更大人口的CADDRE/CDC项目，该项目已得到外部审查委员会和CDC IRB的批准。这项研究应于2006年10月开始。

This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, constipation and abdominal pain are believed to be common in children with autism spectrum disorders. Many families consider nonstandard therapies due to these beliefs. There is very little data to describe the GI symptoms or to determine whether these symptoms are specific to autism. A better understanding of GI symptoms in autism is critical to appropriately treat children with autism and to move forward with research. This study was designed to examine the prevalence and specificity of GI symptoms in autism using four groups of children. Children with rigorously defined autism are being compared to groups with fragile X syndrome, developmental delay of mixed etiology and to children with typical development. A seven-day stool diary using the Bristol Stool Form Scale to evaluate consistency and a three-day diet diary are being collected in children who are between the ages of 30 and 60 months. Since there is some evidence that an abnormal diet can cause chronic non-specific diarrhea and children with autism frequently have highly restrictive diets, it is important to determine whether diet impacts their GI symptoms. In order to better understand the gastrointestinal phenotype, the relationship between GI symptoms and cognitive level or history of regression will be evaluated. This project is very important in the field of autism from both a research and a clinical standpoint. Phenotypic subtypes and endophenotypes are needed for linkage studies to look for genetic causes of autism. A better understanding of the brain/gut interaction has implications for a better understanding of the etiology of autism and may help with treatment as well. Also many families chose to try the gluten and casein free diet. This project will help design future projects so that information is available to counsel families about the diet. This data will serve as pilot data for a multi-center case-cohort study being conducted by the CDC. This protocol has been included in the larger population based CADDRE/CDC project which has been approved by an external review board and the CDC IRB. The study should begin October 2006.