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Intestinal Permeability and Glucagon-like peptide-2 in Children with Autism: A Controlled Pilot Study

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Abstract

We measured small intestinal permeability using a lactulose:mannitol sugar permeability test in a group of children with autism, with current or previous gastrointestinal complaints. Secondly, we examined whether children with autism had an abnormal glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) response to feeding. Results were compared with sibling controls and children without developmental disabilities. We enrolled 14 children with autism, 7 developmentally normal siblings of these children and 8 healthy, developmentally normal, unrelated children. Our study did not detect differences in these measures of gastrointestinal function in a group of children with autism.

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Acknowledgements

We extend thanks to Laurie Wallace, Cathy Osadetz, Sue Smylie for research assistance, David Johnson MD for statistical analysis, as well as all the families who volunteered to participate in this study. This project was funded by the Jonty Foundation, Minnesota, USA.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada

    Marli A. Robertson

  2. Alberta Children’s Hospital, 2888 Shaganappi Trail NW, Calgary, AB, Canada, T3B 6A8

    Marli A. Robertson

  3. Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada

    David L. Sigalet & Keith A. Sharkey

  4. Department of Surgery, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada

    David L. Sigalet

  5. Department of Medical Physiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Jens J. Holst

  6. Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada

    Jon B. Meddings

  7. Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Alberta Children’s Hospital, 2888 Shaganappi Trail NW, Calgary, AB, Canada, T3B 6A8

    Julie Wood

  8. Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada

    Keith A. Sharkey

Authors
  1. Marli A. Robertson
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  2. David L. Sigalet
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  3. Jens J. Holst
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  4. Jon B. Meddings
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  5. Julie Wood
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  6. Keith A. Sharkey
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Correspondence to Marli A. Robertson.

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Robertson, M.A., Sigalet, D.L., Holst, J.J. et al. Intestinal Permeability and Glucagon-like peptide-2 in Children with Autism: A Controlled Pilot Study. J Autism Dev Disord 38, 1066–1071 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-007-0482-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-007-0482-1

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