Recommendations for evaluation and treatment of common gastrointestinal problems in children with ASDs

Pediatrics. 2010 Jan:125 Suppl 1:S19-29. doi: 10.1542/peds.2009-1878D.

Abstract

Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) can benefit from adaptation of general pediatric guidelines for the diagnostic evaluation of abdominal pain, chronic constipation, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. These guidelines help health care providers determine when gastrointestinal symptoms are self-limited and when evaluation beyond a thorough medical history and physical examination should be considered. Children with ASDs who have gastrointestinal disorders may present with behavioral manifestations. Diagnostic and treatment recommendations for the general pediatric population are useful to consider until the development of evidence-based guidelines specifically for patients with ASDs.

Publication types

  • Consensus Development Conference
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Pain / diagnosis*
  • Abdominal Pain / etiology
  • Algorithms
  • Child
  • Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / complications*
  • Chronic Disease
  • Constipation / diagnosis*
  • Constipation / therapy*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Diarrhea / etiology
  • Diarrhea / therapy*
  • Gastroesophageal Reflux / diagnosis*
  • Gastroesophageal Reflux / therapy
  • Humans
  • Mitochondrial Diseases / complications
  • Mitochondrial Diseases / diagnosis
  • Physical Examination