E-ISSN 1658-7820
 

Original Article
Online Published: 05 Jan 2025
 


Gastrointestinal Manifestations in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Saudi Arabia: a Cross-Sectional Study

Basma Al-jabri, Meshari A. Alaifan, Yousef A. Khan, Khalid Sanad, Abdullah M. Alkhotani, Malaz M. Siddiqui, Abdullah B. Zahran, Sultan M. Al-qarni, Tareq K. Dawood.


Abstract
Objectives: This study aimed to compare the prevalence, types, and frequency of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms between children diagnosed with autism and those who are not.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a questionnaire was distributed across various regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including children of 2-18 years.
Results: A total of 358 responses including 174 (48.6%) about children diagnosed with autism and 184 (51.3%) about typically developing children. Overall, insignificant differences in GI manifestations were observed between children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and typically developing children. However, specific GI symptoms, such as constipation (39.7% in ASD vs. 24.5% in controls) and gastroesophageal reflux (9.2% in ASD vs. 2.2% in controls), were more prevalent among children with autism. Conversely, symptoms like abdominal pain (41.8% in controls vs. 18.4% in ASD) and vomiting (14.7% in controls vs. 5.7% in ASD) were more common in typically developing children.
Conclusions: This study indicated that children with autism in Saudi Arabia were more likely to experience specific GI symptoms compared to typically developing peers. Early screening could enhance treatment out-comes and improve quality of life.

Key words: Gastrointestinal manifestations, autism spectrum disorder, abdominal pain, cross-sectional, Saudi Arabia


 
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How to Cite this Article
Pubmed Style

Al-jabri B, Alaifan MA, Khan YA, Sanad K, Alkhotani AM, Siddiqui MM, Zahran AB, Al-qarni SM, Dawood TK. Gastrointestinal Manifestations in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Saudi Arabia: a Cross-Sectional Study. IJMDC. 2024; 8(12): 3523-3531. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1733435046


Web Style

Al-jabri B, Alaifan MA, Khan YA, Sanad K, Alkhotani AM, Siddiqui MM, Zahran AB, Al-qarni SM, Dawood TK. Gastrointestinal Manifestations in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Saudi Arabia: a Cross-Sectional Study. https://www.ijmdc.com/?mno=231789 [Access: April 22, 2025]. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1733435046


AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Al-jabri B, Alaifan MA, Khan YA, Sanad K, Alkhotani AM, Siddiqui MM, Zahran AB, Al-qarni SM, Dawood TK. Gastrointestinal Manifestations in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Saudi Arabia: a Cross-Sectional Study. IJMDC. 2024; 8(12): 3523-3531. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1733435046



Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Al-jabri B, Alaifan MA, Khan YA, Sanad K, Alkhotani AM, Siddiqui MM, Zahran AB, Al-qarni SM, Dawood TK. Gastrointestinal Manifestations in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Saudi Arabia: a Cross-Sectional Study. IJMDC. (2024), [cited April 22, 2025]; 8(12): 3523-3531. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1733435046



Harvard Style

Al-jabri, B., Alaifan, . M. A., Khan, . Y. A., Sanad, . K., Alkhotani, . A. M., Siddiqui, . M. M., Zahran, . A. B., Al-qarni, . S. M. & Dawood, . T. K. (2024) Gastrointestinal Manifestations in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Saudi Arabia: a Cross-Sectional Study. IJMDC, 8 (12), 3523-3531. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1733435046



Turabian Style

Al-jabri, Basma, Meshari A. Alaifan, Yousef A. Khan, Khalid Sanad, Abdullah M. Alkhotani, Malaz M. Siddiqui, Abdullah B. Zahran, Sultan M. Al-qarni, and Tareq K. Dawood. 2024. Gastrointestinal Manifestations in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Saudi Arabia: a Cross-Sectional Study. International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries, 8 (12), 3523-3531. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1733435046



Chicago Style

Al-jabri, Basma, Meshari A. Alaifan, Yousef A. Khan, Khalid Sanad, Abdullah M. Alkhotani, Malaz M. Siddiqui, Abdullah B. Zahran, Sultan M. Al-qarni, and Tareq K. Dawood. "Gastrointestinal Manifestations in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Saudi Arabia: a Cross-Sectional Study." International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries 8 (2024), 3523-3531. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1733435046



MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Al-jabri, Basma, Meshari A. Alaifan, Yousef A. Khan, Khalid Sanad, Abdullah M. Alkhotani, Malaz M. Siddiqui, Abdullah B. Zahran, Sultan M. Al-qarni, and Tareq K. Dawood. "Gastrointestinal Manifestations in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Saudi Arabia: a Cross-Sectional Study." International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries 8.12 (2024), 3523-3531. Print. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1733435046



APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Al-jabri, B., Alaifan, . M. A., Khan, . Y. A., Sanad, . K., Alkhotani, . A. M., Siddiqui, . M. M., Zahran, . A. B., Al-qarni, . S. M. & Dawood, . T. K. (2024) Gastrointestinal Manifestations in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Saudi Arabia: a Cross-Sectional Study. International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries, 8 (12), 3523-3531. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1733435046





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