Narratives of mothers of children with autism spectrum disorders: focus on eating behavior.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the eating behavior of individuals with autism through their mothers' narratives. METHODS: The study of narratives was used to report on the narrators' experiences. Data on the eating habits of individuals with autism were collected using semi-structured interviews held individually with the mothers. The interviews were recorded, transcribed and codified using the NVivo software program. RESULTS: Eighteen mothers of boys/young men with autism participated in the study. Analysis yielded three major categories: eating patterns, the family's attitudes to the child's eating habits, and food-related behavior. CONCLUSION: Results show that autism-related factors may affect the child's food choices. Environmental factors, particularly the parents' behavior, may also play a decisive role, both in reinforcing the child's food choices and in encouraging a healthier and more diversified diet. Professionals should instruct parents regarding their decisive role in reinforcing or discouraging inappropriate mealtime behavior in children with autism.

Narratives of mothers of children with autism spectrum disorders: focus on eating behavior / Narrativa de mães de crianças com transtorno do espectro do autismo: foco no comportamento alimentar

Abstract Objective To investigate the eating behavior of individuals with autism through their mothers' narratives. Methods The study of narratives was used to report on the narrators' experiences. Data on the eating habits of individuals with autism were collected using semi-structured interviews held individually with the mothers. The interviews were recorded, transcribed and codified using the NVivo software program. Results Eighteen mothers of boys/young men with autism participated in the study. Analysis yielded three major categories: eating patterns, the family's attitudes to the child's eating habits, and food-related behavior. Conclusion Results show that autism-related factors may affect the child's food choices. Environmental factors, particularly the parents' behavior, may also play a decisive role, both in reinforcing the child's food choices and in encouraging a healthier and more diversified diet. Professionals should instruct parents regarding their decisive role in reinforcing or discouraging inappropriate mealtime behavior in children with autism.

Resumo Objetivo Investigar o comportamento alimentar de indivíduos com transtorno do espectro do autismo (TEA) através das narrativas de suas mães. Métodos Os dados sobre os hábitos alimentares dos indivíduos com TEA foram coletados utilizando entrevistas semiestruturadas realizadas individualmente com as mães. As entrevistas foram gravadas, transcritas e codificadas usando o programa NVivo. Resultados Dezoito mães de meninos/jovens homens com autismo participaram do estudo. A análise produziu três categorias principais: padrões alimentares, a atitude da família em relação aos hábitos alimentares da criança e comportamentos relacionados à alimentação. Conclusão Os resultados mostram que os fatores relacionados ao autismo podem afetar as escolhas alimentares da criança. Os fatores ambientais, particularmente o comportamento dos pais, também podem desempenhar um papel decisivo, tanto no reforço das escolhas alimentares da criança quanto no incentivo a uma dieta mais saudável e diversificada. Os profissionais devem instruir os pais sobre o seu papel decisivo no reforço ou desencorajamento do comportamento inapropriado nas refeições em crianças com TEA.

Opioid peptides and gastrointestinal symptoms in autism spectrum disorders

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are characterized by deficits in the individual’s ability to socialize, communicate, and use the imagination, in addition to stereotyped behaviors. These disorders have a heterogenous phenotype, both in relation to symptoms and regarding severity. Organic problems related to the gastrointestinal tract are often associated with ASD, including dysbiosis, inflammatory bowel disease, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, celiac disease, indigestion, malabsorption, food intolerance, and food allergies, leading to vitamin deficiencies and malnutrition. In an attempt to explain the pathophysiology involved in autism, a theory founded on opioid excess has been the focus of various investigations, since it partially explains the symptomatology of the disorder. Another hypothesis has been put forward whereby the probable triggers of ASDs would be related to the presence of bacteria in the bowel, oxidative stress, and intestinal permeability. The present update reviews these hypotheses.

Opioid peptides and gastrointestinal symptoms in autism spectrum disorders.

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are characterized by deficits in the individual's ability to socialize, communicate, and use the imagination, in addition to stereotyped behaviors. These disorders have a heterogenous phenotype, both in relation to symptoms and regarding severity. Organic problems related to the gastrointestinal tract are often associated with ASD, including dysbiosis, inflammatory bowel disease, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, celiac disease, indigestion, malabsorption, food intolerance, and food allergies, leading to vitamin deficiencies and malnutrition. In an attempt to explain the pathophysiology involved in autism, a theory founded on opioid excess has been the focus of various investigations, since it partially explains the symptomatology of the disorder. Another hypothesis has been put forward whereby the probable triggers of ASDs would be related to the presence of bacteria in the bowel, oxidative stress, and intestinal permeability. The present update reviews these hypotheses.

The relationship between mental disorders and types of crime in inmates in a Brazilian prison.

This cross-sectional study conducted in prisons in the city of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, investigated the association between the presence of psychiatric disorders in 462 prisoners and the types of crimes committed by them. Psychiatric diagnosis was obtained by means of the Brazilian Portuguese version of the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview. A statistically significant association was found between some psychiatric disorders and specific groups of crime: lifelong substance addiction with sex crimes and homicide; antisocial personality disorder with robbery and with kidnapping and extortion; borderline personality disorder with sex crimes; and lifelong alcohol addiction with fraud and conspiracy and with armed robbery and murder. It was concluded that the mental disorders considered more severe (psychosis and bipolar disorder) were not associated with violent crimes, suggesting that the severity of the psychotic disorder may be the factor that has caused psychosis to be associated with violent crimes in previous studies.

Developmental course of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and its predictors.

OBJECTIVE: To outline the key features of the developmental progression of ADHD and to consider the most prominent influences on its developmental course and outcomes. METHODS: This is a selective review focusing primarily on prospective follow-up studies. Relevant publications were selected by searching the MEDLINE and PubMed databases using keywords: ADHD, development, preschool, adolescent, adult, follow up, outcome, long-term, predictors, and treatment. Reference lists of the resulting articles were then reviewed for additional publications. RESULTS: Presentation of ADHD and associated impairments evolve across development, as do outcome predictors. In early development, in addition to genetics, some forms of prenatal adversity increase the risk for ADHD. In preschool years, symptom severity, cognitive function, and family factors become significant predictors of school age outcomes. These continue to predict long-term outcomes in school aged children, and comorbidity emerges as another significant long-term outcome predictor at this stage. CONCLUSIONS: Presentation of ADHD and risk factors for later adversity evolve across development, which calls for developmentally-informed clinical practices.

Résumé OBJECTIF: Cette revue entend présenter les principales caractéristiques de la progression développementale du trouble de déficit de l'attention avec hyperactivité (TDAH) et examiner les influences les plus dominantes du cours développemental et des résultats du TDAH. MÉTHODES: Cette revue sélective porte principalement sur les études prospectives de suivi. Les publications pertinentes ont été choisies par une recherche dans les bases de données MEDLINE et PubMed, à l'aide des mots clés: TDAH, développement, préscolaire, adolescent, adulte, suivi, résultat, long terme, prédicteurs, et traitement. Des publications additionnelles ont ensuite été repérées dans les bibliographies des articles sélectionnés. RÉSULTATS: La présentation du TDAH et les déficiences qui y sont associées évoluent durant le développement, tout comme les prédicteurs de résultat. En début de développement, outre la génétique, certaines formes d'adversité prénatale accroissent le risque du TDAH. Dans les années préscolaires, la gravité des symptômes, la fonction cognitive, et les facteurs familiaux deviennent des prédicteurs significatifs des résultats à l'âge scolaire. Ces facteurs continuent de prédire les résultats à long terme des enfants d'âge scolaire; la comorbidité apparaît comme étant un autre prédicteur significatif des résultats à long terme à ce stade. CONCLUSIONS: La présentation du TDAH et les facteurs de risque d'adversité ultérieure évoluent au cours du développement, ce qui requiert des pratiques cliniques éclairées en matière de développement.

The prevalence of mental disorders in prisoners in the city of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.

The number of individuals affected by serious psychiatric disorders in Brazilian prisons is unknown. This cross-sectional study was conducted in prison complexes within the city of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. The sample consisted of 497 prisoners, and the outcome measure was the Brazilian Portuguese version of the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview. The prevalence rates found in the closed and semi-open prison systems, respectively, were as follows: depression 17.6% and 18.8%; bipolar mood disorder 5.2% and 10.1%; anxiety disorders 6.9% and 14.4%; borderline personality disorder 19.7% and 34.8%; antisocial personality disorder 26.9% and 24.2%; alcohol addiction 26.6% and 35.3%; drug addiction 27.9% and 32.4%; psychosis 1.4% and 12.6%; attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in childhood 10.3% and 22.2%; and ADHD in adulthood 4.1% and 5.3%. This study revealed higher rates of substance-related disorders and lower rates of psychotic and mood disorders compared to other prevalence studies carried out in prison populations.