What kinds of nutritional deficiencies are common in children with ASDs?
Food selectivity is common in children with ASD between the ages of 3 and 11 years, including picky eating and food refusal.
Children with ASDs can have poor protein intake as well as frequent nutrient deficiencies, including fiber, vitamin D, vitamin E, calcium, vitamin B12, and iron deficiencies. Food selectivity or picky eating is an important risk factor in the development of nutritional deficiencies. Children with a more restricted diet may be more likely to consume inadequate nutrients and develop nutritional deficiencies.
“Children with blood vitamin D levels suggestive of deficiency were almost twice as likely to develop externalizing behavior problems — aggressive and rule breaking behaviors — as reported by their parents, compared with children who had higher levels of the vitamin.”1
“This study, for the first time, reports that a fiber-deprived diet leads to cognitive impairment… which is pathologically distinct from normal brain aging. These findings alert the adverse impact of dietary fiber deficiency on brain function, and highlight an increase in fiber intake as a nutritional strategy to reduce the risk of developing diet-associated cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases.”2
“Our findings indicate that increased anxiety-like behaviour is an early symptom of vitamin E deficiency that can be recovered by vitamin E refeeding. Moreover, we confirmed that anxiety-like behaviour under social isolation stress can be reduced by taking vitamin E excess of the required amount.”3
“Symptoms of a vitamin B deficiency in children:
Weakness
Fatigue
Lack of appetite
Delay in growth
Developmental delay or even regression
Irritability
Tingling or burning sensation (in extremities)
Hypotonia (low muscle tone)
Reduced tactile sensation
Seizures
Ataxia (lack of muscle control)
Symptoms of paralysis
Involuntary movements
Concentration problems
Memory disorders
Personality changes
Depression
Macrocytosis
Anaemia
Hypersegmented neutrophils (type of white blood cells)
Leukopenia (low white blood cell count)
Thrombocytopenia (low blood platelet count)
Glossitis
Hyperpigmentation of the skin
Vomiting
Diarrhea and/or intestinal symptoms
Jaundice
Headache,” 4
“Iron deficiency (ID) cause negative outcomes on psychomotor and behavioral development of infants and young children. Children with autism are under risk for ID and this condition may increase the severity of psychomotor and behavioral problems,The association between iron deficiency and developmental problems such as global developmental delay is thought to be bidirectional. Iron deficiency impairs the processes of neurotransmitter metabolism and myelin formation, as well as altering energy metabolism in the brain – effects that have been theorised to cause behavioural and cognitive developmental delays in children.
Thus, it can be considered that ID/IDA (iron deficiency anemia) may increase the severity of autistic symptoms in children with ASD.” 5
| Deficient Nutrients | Foods high in deficient nutrient |
| Fiber | Beans, broccoli, avocados, berries, popcorn, whole grains, apples, dried fruits, potatoes, nuts |
| Vitamin D | Orange juice, dairy and non dairy milks, cereals and whole grains, egg yolk, salmon, tuna. |
| Vitamin E | plant-based oils, nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables. |
| Calcium | Dairy (cow, goat, sheep) and fortified plant-based milks (almond, soy, rice)CheeseYogurtCalcium-fortified orange juiceWinter squashEdamame (young green soybeans); Tofu, made with calcium sulfateCanned sardines, salmon (with bones)AlmondsLeafy greens (collard, mustard, turnip, kale, bok choy, spinach) |
| Vitamin B12 | Fish, shellfishLiverRed meatEggsPoultryDairy products such as milk, cheese, and yogurtFortified nutritional yeastFortified breakfast cerealsEnriched soy or rice milk |
| Iron | Oysters, clams, musselsBeef or chicken liverOrgan meatsCanned sardinesBeefPoultryCanned light tuna |
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