A quarterly publication of the Autism Research Institute
Spring 2025 | Number 2, Volume 39
A study by researchers in India adds to evidence that probiotic supplements can improve the gastrointestinal (GI) health and behavioral symptoms of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
In a single-blind study, Himani Narula Khanna and colleagues evaluated the effects of probiotic supplements on autistic children between two and nine years of age. Ninety of the children received the supplements, while 90 received a placebo. Caregivers unaware of the children’s treatment status completed the Social Responsiveness Scale-2 (SRS-2), Aberrant Behavior Checklist-2 (ABC-2), and GI Severity Index (GS) before and after the intervention.
The researchers report that on the SRS-2, the probiotic group exhibited marked improvements in behavioral symptoms compared with the placebo group. Improvements included “significant reductions in severe symptoms, including social withdrawal/lethargy (40%), stereotypic behavior (37.77%), hyperactivity (34.44%) and inappropriate speech (32.22%) post-intervention,” they say. In addition, children in the probiotic group exhibited significant improvements in constipation and diarrhea. In both groups, the researchers detected a statistically significant correlation between behavioral and GI symptoms.
The researchers conclude, “The observed improvements in both behavioral and GI symptoms on probiotic supplementation imply a correlation between these symptoms in children with ASD. This significant correlation emphasizes the importance of addressing GI concerns in managing ASD-related behavioral issues to improve the quality of life in these children. It also highlights the potential of probiotics to restore gut microbiota balance, alleviate GI issues, and positively impact neurobehavioral outcomes.”
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“Impact of probiotic supplements on behavioural and gastrointestinal symptoms in children with autism spectrum disorder: a randomised controlled trial,” Himani Narula Khanna, Sushovan Roy, Aqsa Shaikh, Rajiv Chhabra, and Azhar Uddin, BMJ Paediatrics Open, February 2025 (free online). Address: Himani Narula Khanna, Department of Community Medicine, Hamdard Institute of Medical Science and Research, New Delhi, India, [email protected].
