Brief Report: Decreased Bone Health in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder
Abstract
PURPOSE: Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and food selectivity are at increased risk for nutritional deficiencies which could affect bone health.
METHODS: We report on four male patients with ASD and avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) with significant bone conditions including rickets, vertebral compression fractures, osteopenia, and slipped capital femoral epiphyses.
RESULTS: Each patient was at risk for at least one nutritional deficiency. Two out of four patients had deficiencies in Vitamins A, B12, E, and zinc. Calcium and Vitamin D deficiency were noted in all four. Two out of four patients with Vitamin D deficiency developed rickets.
CONCLUSION: Provisional evidence suggests that children with ASD and ARFID are at elevated risk for serious adverse bone health outcomes.
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Evidence Hub reads this as a case report, done in people. Its evidence level is 5 of 5 (Very low · case / narrative / animal / in vitro / in silico). Case reports, narrative reviews, and animal, cell or computer-model studies give the weakest evidence for human health.
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