PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Al-Ayadhi, Laila Y.
TI  - Gluten sensitivity in autistic children in Central Saudi Arabia
DP  - 2006 Jan 01
TA  - Neurosciences Journal
PG  - 11--14
VI  - 11
IP  - 1
4099  - http://nsj.org.sa/content/11/1/11.short
4100  - http://nsj.org.sa/content/11/1/11.full
SO  - Neurosciences (Riyadh)2006 Jan 01; 11
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine gluten sensitivity through the measurement of anti-gliadin antibody (IgA and IgG), anti-endomysial antibody (endo-IgA), anti-reticulin antibody (IgG) and anti-transglutamase antibody (IgG) levels in blood samples of autistic in the Riyadh area.METHODS: The study took place in the Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh between September 2003 and April 2004. Thirty-three autistic children, from the Riyadh area participated in the study, all with confirmed diagnosis according to E-2 diagnostic criteria for autistic spectrum disorders. Anti-gliadin antibody (IgA and IgG), anti-endomysial antibody (endo-IgA), anti-reticulin antibody (IgG) and anti-transglutamase antibody (IgG), were measured by the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay method.RESULTS: Thirty-three autistic children with confirmed diagnosis (30 males and 3 females) participated in the study. A significant percentage of autistic children complained of constipation as compared to control. None of the autistic examined were positive for any of the antibodies tested, including anti-gliadin antibody (IgA and IgG), anti-endomysial antibody (endo-IgA), anti-reticulin antibody (IgG) and anti-transglutamase antibody (IgG). The same results were reached with the control group.CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated that gluten sensitivity is not a major cause in those autistic children examined.