AUTHORS: Sashova Tomova, A., \u0160oltys, K., Kem\u00e9nyov\u00e1, P., Karh\u00e1nek, M. and Babinsk\u00e1, K.<\/p>\n
ABSTRACT: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex of neurodevelopmental conditions with <\/span>increasing incidence. The microbiota of children with ASD is distinct from neurotypical children, <\/span>their food habits are also di<\/span>ff<\/span>erent, and it is known that nutrient intake influences microbiota <\/span>in a specific way.<\/span> Thus, this study investigates the food habits of children with ASD and their<\/span>
association with the gut microbiota. Children with ASD had their dietary energy intakes similar to <\/span>controls, but they more often demonstrated food selectivity, which seemed to result in deficiency <\/span>of micronutrients such as vitamins K, B6, C, iron, cooper, docosahexaenoic and docosapentanoic <\/span>acid. Using high-throughput sequencing, a DNA library of intestinal microbiota was performed. <\/span>Core microbiota was similar in children with and without ASD, but<\/span> Dichelobacter<\/span>,<\/span> Nitriliruptor<\/span> and <\/span>Constrictibacter<\/span> were found to be putative markers of ASD. The changes in gut microbiota that we <\/span>observed in connection to food selectivity, intake of fats and omega-3 in particular, fermented milk <\/span>products and animal<\/span>\/<\/span>plant protein consumption had similar character, independent of diagnosis. <\/span>However, high fibre intake was connected with a decreased<\/span> \u03b1<\/span>-diversity only in children with ASD. <\/span>High carbohydrate and fibre intake influenced<\/span> \u03b2<\/span>-diversity, changing the abundance of<\/span> Bacteroides<\/span> and <\/span>other genera, many of them members of the<\/span> Clostidiaceae<\/span>. Modulating food habits of ASD children <\/span>can influence their gut microbiota composition.<\/span><\/p>\n