Gastrointestinal involvement of autism spectrum disorder: focus on gut microbiota

ASD patients frequently experience gastrointestinal symptoms, including constipation and diarrhea.

• Gastrointestinal symptoms in ASD patients are reported with variable prevalence, including constipation, diarrhea, reflux, and abdominal discomfort.
• Differences in gut bacteria composition may be associated with gastrointestinal disturbances in individuals with ASD.
• Microbial changes in ASD patients could relate to factors such as digestive enzyme deficiencies and carbohydrate malabsorption.
• Modulating the gut microbiota through various strategies may help alleviate GI distress in ASD individuals.
• Future research should standardize methods for large-scale studies to explore the gut microbiota's role in ASD more comprehensively.

AI simplified