Nutritional Status of Autistic Children and Relationship with Nutritional Awareness of Their Mothers

BACKGROUND: Autism Spectrum Disorder is prevalent worldwide. Autistic children are vulnerable, their preference in food intake, well established, that may lead to abnormal nutrition status, this study designed to describe nutritional awareness of mothers of autistic children.

METHODS: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study aimed to determine the nutritional status of autistic children and their mother's awareness in Khartoum state. 67 child aged between 3-18 years were chosen from 12 Centers for children with special needs.

Data was collected by questionnaire, which included general information, anthropometric measurements, dietary, and food consumption of children, through case-findings or purposive sampling techniques.

RESULTS: The prevalence of autism is higher in males than females, males (77.6%), females (22.4%). Socio-economic status findings showed (65.7%) were from middle class income. Autistic children fathers (74.6%) employed and employed mothers were (28.3%). Nutritional status showed Preschool Females (100%) underweight; while school age males were (44.4%). 94.9% of them consume wheat and other cereal products. Frequent attacks of upper respiratory tract infection occurs in (97%), malaria and worms infestation occurred in (49.3%) and (46.3%) had teeth decay.

CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATIONS: Nutrition awareness is essential for mothers of autistic children. It’s recommended that a dietitian should be a member in each center to educate mothers about consumption of recommended food especially in the early childhood for a better outcome through adulthood.