Os efeitos da suplementação de prebióticos e probióticos nos sintomas gastrointestinais de crianças com TEA

Abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that results in struggles in social behavior and language development as well as in repetitive and stereotyped behavior. It can be diagnosed in children’s the first years. A common disturb to most children with ASD are gastrointestinal disorders, like diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, flatulence among others. These are symptoms that are linked to an imbalance between commensal and pathogenic microorganisms. This review aims at assessing the effects of prebiotics and probiotics or symbiotic in improving these symptoms. The literature review is restricted to original articles either in Portuguese or English that have been published in the last five years and are related to children aged between 2 and 12 years. Many studies found clear differences in the composition of the intestinal microbiota (IM) of children with ASD, as well as composition changes in the profile of trace elements. With the introduction of probiotics and prebiotics, jointly or separately or associated with a diet of exclusion, it was found an improvement in the IM positive modulation, in the metabolic activity, a decrease in the frequency of gastrointestinal symptoms and an improvement in social behavior of children. It is concluded that the treatment with probiotics, prebiotics or symbiotics brings benefits to children with ASD, however further research is still needed on gastrointestinal symptoms relief.