Comparison of Dietary Intake of Zinc, Copper, Selenium, and Manganese in Children Having Autism Spectrum Disorders with Healthy Control Children

Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are at risk of insufficient nutrient intake due to inappropriate eating habits, problems in sensory perception, and choosing monotonous foods. Minerals play an essential role in the central nervous system, and their deficiency or excess can cause a variety of health issues and can contribute to the development of ASD. This study aimed to compare the dietary intake of zinc, copper, selenium, and manganese in two groups of children, with ASD and healthy controls, in Gorgan City, Iran.

In this study, the food intake of 35 ASD children aged 6 to 12 years and 70 healthy children was recorded using the semi-quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire. The average daily intake of zinc, copper, selenium, and manganese was estimated using ShaFA software.

There was no statistically significant difference in the dietary intake of zinc, copper, and selenium; however, the intake of manganese was significantly lower in ASD children (median±IQR: 2.39±1.83) than in healthy children (median±IQR: 3.24±1.94; P=0.03).

Considering the existence of problems related to eating habits in children with ASD, the results of this study showed the necessity of frequent and regular nutrition assessment for ASD children. Studies with larger sample sizes are recommended.