Nutritional Status and ASD Severity of Autistic Spectrum Disorder Children in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Case Control Study
Condition: Autistic Spectrum Disorder
MeSH terms: Autistic Disorder; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Child Development Disorders, Pervasive
Study type: Observational

Summary: 
      The study conducts a case control analysis of the nutritional status and intake of autistic
      spectrum disorder diagnosed children as compared to typically developing children in Addis
      Ababa, Ethiopia. It included analysis of anthropometric measurements, three days food diary
      food intake, urinary iodine analysis, childhood autism rating scale diagnosis, food frequency
      and eating behavior questioner and proximate analysis of one day major meals of selected
      subjects.
    

Detailed description: 
      Sample population was Addis Ababa city in which subjects were selected from one of the two
      autism centers in the country. Random sampling method was applied to select subject from the
      total enrolled children in the center using Ryan 2013 sample size calculation formula.

      Subjects already diagnose with autistic spectrum disorder that didn't have any other chronic
      disease that affect diet and nutrition were included in the study. Subjects were selected
      randomly from each grade level in the center. They were registered and taken for data
      collection. Sample and Data was collected with the help of each child's center caregiver and
      parent. Childhood autism rating scale diagnosis, eating behavior analysis were analyzed for
      the ASD and anthropometric indices Z scores, urine iodine concentration, three days food
      diary analysis, major meals proximate analysis, food frequency and dietary diversity was
      assessed and compared to typically developing children in Addis Ababa.

      Data entry and analysis was conducted using Emergency Nutrition Assessment software,
      Microsoft excel and Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software.
    

Intervention name(s): Nutritional status; Eating behavior; Urine iodine concentration; Nutrient intake; Dietary assessment; Childhood autism rating scale
Intervention type(s): Other; Behavioral; Other; Other; Other; Other
Intervention description(s): Nutritional status of children as analyzed by anthropometric indices was under study; The eating behavior of ASD children as analyzed by frequency of refusal of new food, sensitivity to food, food allergy and gastrointestinal systems was under study; the 24 urine iodine concentration of all subjects was under study; The nutrient intake as analyzed by three days food diary and major meal proximate analysis of subjects was under study; The food frequency and dietary diversity of all subjects as analyzed by food frequency questioner, dietary diversity score and food variety score was under study; The autistic severity of ASD diagnosed children was under study as analyzed by childhood autism rating scale diagnosis
Observational model: Case-Control
Time perspective: Prospective
Sampling method: Probability Sample
Study population: 
        The target population of this study were school-aged (i.e. 4-17 years old) children with
        ASD residing in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The study was conducted in one of the two selected
        autism center in Addis Ababa Ethiopia , one of the two autism centers in Ethiopia. Controls
        were selected from typically developing children's population of the same area as of ASD
        population.
      
Biospecimen description: 
      Urine analysis
    
Keywords: Autistic spectrum disorder (ASD); Typically developing children (TDC); Nutritional status; Nutrient intake; Urine Iodine; Autistic severity