
Dean Alexander
Lanterman Developmental Center, USATitle: Gastrointestinal tract symptomatology in adults with pica and autism
Abstract
This study investigated pica behavior in those with and without autism in relation to gastrointestinal (GI) tract symptomatology and disease . A chart review of 64 residential adults with developmental disabilities indicated that individuals with pica had more GI tract diseases, and those with autism and pica had a higher rate of GI diseases compared to those with autism and no pica behavior. These data suggest that those individuals with both autism and pica disorders may be a phenotypic subgroup in the autism spectrum characterized by GI symptomatology, requiring a clinical algorithm for categorization and effective treatment. Individuals exhibiting pica may benefit from gastrointestinal evaluation.
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