Frequency of determining markers of casein's inhability and gluten in children with disorders of autistic spectrum

The most optimal approach to the problem of managing children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is a complex one that involves a pediatric gastroenterologist, a nutritionist, a neurologist, a psychiatrist. Currently, there are studies that confirm the effectiveness of diet in the correction of neuropsychiatric status and gastroenterological disorders in ASD. Evidence supporting the therapeutic value of diets is limited and inconclusive. Diet therapy should be used only if food allergy or gluten or casein intolerance is diagnosed. Aim. To study the frequency of detection of markers of gluten and casein intolerance in children with ASD. The study involved 51 children (39 boys and 12 girls) aged 3 to 15 years with a diagnosis of ASD. Among the study participants, 20 children used gluten-free diet and casein-free diet for more than 6 months. The material for the study was venous blood taken from the elbow vein in the morning on an empty stomach. Determination of specific IgG-antibodies to casein and gliadin, IgA-antibodies to deamidized gliadin peptides was carried out by enzyme immunoassay. The level of total IgA to exclude selective deficiency was also determined. Most children with ASD (79.5%) had increased levels of specific IgG antibodies to casein. The increase in IgG antigliadin antibodies was determined in 19.3% of children who do not follow a gluten-free diet, and antibodies to deamidized gliadin Ig peptides were not detected in any patient. Gluten intolerance in children with ASD is characterized by sensitivity to it and occurs in 40-50%. According to the literature and the results of own studies, some children with ASD have gluten and casein intolerance. Before the appointment of diet therapy for children with ASD, it is necessary to conduct a survey to clarify the nature of intolerance and the choice of optimal tactics of diet therapy.