L’apport alimentaire en micronutriments dans le trouble du spectre de l’autisme chez des enfants de l’ouest Algérien

Abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) can affect the nutritional status of children. This study aimed to assess the daily dietary intakes (DDI) of micronutrients, as well as the frequency of consumption (FC) of different food groups, in children with ASD and compare them to those with typical development (TD). It will also determine to what extent these intakes comply with the Recommanded Dietary Allowances (RDA). The study included 52 children, 26 with ASD and 26 with TD. DDI and FC were gathered using a 7-day food diary. Among the DDI of micronutrient, only Vit B12 showed a significant difference between cases and controls, but the DDI was higher than the recommendations in both groups studied. All the children of our study sample had DDI lower than the RDA, in iron, calcium, vitamins E and K1. However, the most notable discrepancy with the recommendations was observed in iron intake (6.95 ± 2.87 mg/d vs 7.04 ± 2.98 mg/d, p > 0.05; RDA equal to 10 mg/d) primarily due to low consumption of meat products, and in calcium (406.96 mg/d vs 399.46 mg/d, p > 0.05; RDA of 1000 mg/d). Most of the children in this study had a FC of dairy products below the recommended consumption frequency. This study highlights the importance of improving dietary guidance for both groups studied, with particular attention to children with ASD to avoid any complications of ASD.