787 Fecal Calprotectin in Autistic Children Before and After the Use of Elemental Diet

Abstract

Objectives and Study: Autism is a complexed neurodevelopmental- neurobiological disorder of behaviour, which is characterized from loss in three domains: social behaviour, status of contact-speech, interests. From the other hand, gastrointestinal problems like constipation, diarrhea or vomiting are often seen in autistic children, are very difficult to resolve and we don't know if these are caused by the main disorder (are part of it) or are 'side effects'. The aim of the study was the investigation of the degree of possible inflammation of the autistic children's intestine mucosa by measurement of fecal calprotectin levels and observation of their changes after the introduction of elemental diet. Method(s): A total number of 65 children aged 2,5 to 8 years were checked(group A). All of them were diagnosed with pervasive developmental disorder (international criteria 1994). Further, the children were randomly divided in two groups, 32 of the children started elemental formula (containing free aminoacids-Neocate ) dietwith exclusion of all milk products or milk containing food(group B) and the rest 33 children continued their previous diet(groupC). Also, fecal calprotectin levels were measured in samples of 22 healthy children(aged 2 to 8 years) having normal diet(group D). The count of the levels of calprotectin was done in fecal samples using Elisa method. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 14.0 statistical software and x2-test. The study was accepted by the hospital ethics committee. Result(s): Statistical significant differences (P<0,001) were found in fecal calprotectin levels between groups A and D. Also, after 4 months of observation, statistical significant differences (P<0,001) were found in fecal calprotectin levels between groups B and C. Conclusion(s): Children suffering from pervasive developmental disorder have increased levels of fecal calprotectin, but these levels are significantly reduced by the introduction of elemental diet. We have much more to investigate by measuring calprotectin plasma levels, examine the gastrointestinal tract by other methods and correlate the findings with the frequency of gastrointestinal symptoms of these children.