Children with Autism Often Lack These Two Important Nutrients
Millions of children on the autism spectrum may unknowingly suffer from a deficiency of important vitamins, according to new research highlighting the link between diet and autism.
It is already known that children with autism are more prone to picky eating and fear of unfamiliar food, but the concrete consequences of such dietary habits have not been sufficiently studied so far.
Researchers from Singapore studied the dietary habits of more than 240 children and found that almost 40 percent of children with autism have a deficiency of vitamin D and iron. In addition, more than 15 percent of children with low iron levels developed anemia – a condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen – reports Sombor.info.
The scientists called on health authorities to consider introducing routine nutritional screenings for children with autism. In the journal Nutrients they wrote:
"Vitamin D and iron deficiency are common in children with autism. Timely recognition and treatment of these deficiencies can significantly improve their health and development."
The age of the child plays a major role
The results showed that 36.5 percent of children with an average age of four had a vitamin D deficiency, while 37.7 percent had an iron deficiency. The older the children were, the greater the risk – for each additional month of age, the chance of vitamin D deficiency increased by 4 percent.
The researchers noticed that older children were more likely to develop anemia due to iron deficiency. However, in picky eaters, such a connection was not recorded, probably because younger children more often consume formula milk enriched with iron.
The authors emphasized that the study has certain limitations – the sample size is relatively small, and the parents who participated may already have been concerned about their children's diet.
Consequences of vitamin and iron deficiency
A lack of vitamin D can lead to serious health problems such as rickets, bone and muscle pain, and general weakness. Iron deficiency most often manifests itself through fatigue, pale skin, shortness of breath, and headaches.
It is important to emphasize that autism is not a disease, but a neurodevelopmental condition a person is born with. It exists on a spectrum – while some can live without additional help, others need daily support.
