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The Relationship of Severity of Autism with Gastrointestinal Symptoms and Serum Zonulin Levels in Autistic Children

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Abstract

To evaluate the relationship between the severity of autism, severity of gastrointestinal symptoms and serum zonulin levels as a marker of increased intestinal permeability in children. Serum zonulin levels were determined in 56 children with ASDs and 55 healthy children. The severity of gastrointestinal symptoms and ASD symptoms was assessed with the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) and Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), respectively. Serum zonulin levels were significantly higher than healthy controls in children with severe autism. A positive correlation was found between the CARS score, GSRS score and serum zonulin levels (r = ; P < .001). Our findings suggest that the severity of gastrointestinal symptoms and severity of autism might be related to increased intestinal permeability in ASDs children.

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Acknowledgments

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Funding

This study was supported by a Gazi University Scientific Research Project Office grant (obtaining human serum zonulin kit) with Project number 01 / 2017–01.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey

    Selen Karagözlü

  2. Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Medical School, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey

    Buket Dalgıç

  3. Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health, Medical School, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey

    Elvan İşeri

  4. Children’s Hospital, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey

    Selen Karagözlü

Authors
  1. Selen Karagözlü
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  2. Buket Dalgıç
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  3. Elvan İşeri
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Contributions

SK carried out interpretation of data, the statistical analyses and drafted the initial manuscript. Approved the final version of the manuscript to be published and agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved. BD conceptualized and designed the study, and revised it critically for important intellectual content. Approved the final version of the manuscript to be published and agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved. Eİ carried out interpretation of data, and revised it critically for important intellectual content. Approved the final version of the manuscript to be published and agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved.

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Correspondence to Selen Karagözlü.

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The authors assert that all procedures contributing to this work comply with the ethical standards of the Helsinki Declaration of 1975, as revised in 2008, and has been approved by the institutional ethical committee (Ankara University). Informed consent was obtained from the parents of all participants.

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Karagözlü, S., Dalgıç, B. & İşeri, E. The Relationship of Severity of Autism with Gastrointestinal Symptoms and Serum Zonulin Levels in Autistic Children. J Autism Dev Disord 52, 623–629 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-021-04966-1

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