PD435 - MEALTIME BEHAVIORS AND GASTROINTESTINAL SYMPTOMS IN CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER

PD435

MEALTIME BEHAVIORS AND GASTROINTESTINAL SYMPTOMS IN CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER

G. Köroğlu¹, S. Gezer^1,*, A. H. İslamoğlu¹

¹Faculty of Health Sciences, Nutrition and Dietetics, Marmara University, Istanbul, Türkiye

Rationale: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition frequently accompanied by multiple comorbidities, including gastrointestinal (GI) disturbances, feeding difficulties and behavioral challenges that may significantly impair quality of life. This study aimed to investigate GI symptom frequency and their association with mealtime behaviors in children with ASD.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 102 children aged between 5-12 years diagnosed with ASD according to DSM-5 criteria. A researcher-developed questionnaire evaluating the frequency of GI symptoms and the Brief Autism Mealtime Behavior Inventory (BAMBI) were used to assess the GI symptoms, the mealtime behaviors, and the feeding-related problems of children. Ordinal logistic regression examined between BAMBI scores and GI symptoms.

Results: Among 102 children with ASD (76.5% male), gastrointestinal symptoms were generally uncommon. Constipation was relatively more prevalent, with only 27.5% of participants reporting no symptoms, whereas reflux was the least frequent, with 79.4% reporting no symptoms. The mean BAMBI score was 41.0 ± 10.24. Higher BAMBI scores were significantly associated with increased odds of gastrointestinal symptoms, including nausea/vomiting (OR =1.05, 95% CI:1.01–1.09, p=0.019), postprandial discomfort (OR = 1.07, 95% CI: 1.02–1.12, p=0.003), and reflux (OR =1.06, 95% CI:1.01–1.12, p=0.016), with the strongest association observed for postprandial discomfort. No significant associations were found for other symptoms (p>0.05).

Conclusion: Mealtime behaviors were significantly associated with specific gastrointestinal symptoms in children with ASD, particularly nausea/vomiting, postprandial discomfort, and reflux. These findings suggest that behavioral feeding patterns may contribute to gastrointestinal symptoms and should be considered in nutritional assessment and management.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared