Effectiveness of probiotics in autism spectrum disorder: A case comparison pilot study

Abstract

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Children with autism have a higher prevalence of gastrointestinal problems than typically developing children. Global research shows inconsistent results in efficacy of probiotics in decreasing gastrointestinal and behavioral symptoms in Autism. This study is a pilot study conducted in Kerala, India, to evaluate the effectiveness of probiotics in autistic children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study is a hospital-based case–comparison study in autistic children in the age range of 2–6 years. The study arm received probiotics sachets for 2 months, and the change in gastrointestinal and behavioral symptoms in the study and control arm was compared post-intervention. RESULTS: There is a significant improvement in gastrointestinal and behavioral symptoms post-intervention in the study arm. However, on comparing the study and comparison arm, statistically significant improvement was observed only in gastrointestinal domain (P = 0.011). CONCLUSION: The present study establishes the need of large-scale, double-blinded, randomized controlled trials to come to a consensus agreement regarding effectiveness of probiotics in autism.