A influência de componentes da alimentação no transtorno do espectro autista (TEA): uma revisão integrativa

Abstract

Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by atypical development, behavioral manifestations, deficits in communication and social interaction, repetitive and stereotyped behavior patterns, and may present a restricted repertoire of interests and activities. The etiology of ASD remains unknown, scientific evidence indicates that there is no single cause, but it occurs due to the interaction of genetic and environmental factors. Despite not being the main factor for diagnosis, eating difficulties are observed in individuals who are diagnosed with autism when compared to people who do not have this condition. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate information related to diets for those diagnosed with Autistic Spectrum Disorder to improve symptoms. Given this, a bibliographic review was carried out with searches in the PubMed and ScienceDirect databases, using the descriptors obtained in MESH (Medical Subject Headings): “autism spectrum disorder”, “feeding behavior”, “diet” and obtained in DECS (Descriptors in Health Sciences): “Autistic spectrum disorder”, “eating behavior”, “diet” from August to October 2022 in journals and publications that addressed the subject studied. Many studies were found in the time frame with the searched descriptors, 111 in PubMed and 5188 in ScienceDirect, where after analyzing the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 24 studies were selected to carry out the work. The research highlighted several pieces of information related to the food influence in patients with autism, although the studies do not indicate certainty, it is evidenced that there is a correlation between food and the development of certain symptoms related to the disorder, mainly concerning the individual's microbiota, deficiencies, and nutritional deficiencies, to the detriment of the predominant behavior of these patients in aversion to food. However, further studies are needed to prove the real effectiveness of these nutritional interventions in the treatment of ASD.