Micronutrient Supplementation in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Open-Label Trial

Bushra Hossain University of California, San Francisco, USA https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5492-6499

Jazzy Benes University of California, San Francisco, USA

Stephen Bent University of California, San Francisco, USA https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4767-9714

Felicia Widjaja University of California, San Francisco, USA

China Parenteau University of California, San Francisco, USA https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6812-9263

Robert Hendren University of California, San Francisco, USA https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8470-4862

https://doi.org/10.33700/jhrs.2.2.87

ABSTRACT

Aim: To investigate the change in core and associated behaviours of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) following micronutrient supplementation.

Methods: Adolescents and adults with ASD (N=16, aged 11-22) participated in an 8-week open label study of micronutrients supplements. Measures of behaviour and social responsiveness, using Autism Behaviour Inventory – Short (ABI-S) and Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) respectively, were completed by parents and teachers at baseline and end of the study. Paired t-tests were used to compare the pre- and post-treatment mean scores.

Results: Eleven participants completed the study. Mean scores on both clinical outcomes showed improvements (decreases) over the study period, but none were statistically significant. Parent-reported ABI-S scores decreased (improved) by 11.5% (effect size=-0.52, p=0.08), teacher-reported ABI-S scores improved by 3.7% (effect size=-0.16, p=0.31), and parent-reported SRS scores improved by 8.6% (effect size=-0.56, p=0.05). There were no adverse events reported.

Conclusion: This study adds to the mixed findings of micronutrient supplementation in individuals with ASD, consistent with previous studies. Micronutrients were safely tolerated. In the future, randomized controlled trials with a larger sample size are needed to provide more insight on the potential benefits of micronutrients in ASD.

Keywords: Micronutrients, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), nutrition, supplements, clinical trial

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