Feeding problems, age of introduction of complementary food and autism symptom in children with autism spectrum disorder.

In this cross-sectional study, 84 children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and 77 healthy subjects showing typical development (TD) were reviewed. Parents reviewed the age of introduction of complementary foods (CFs), completed a demographic, diet behavior questionnaire and the Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC). The results showed that the age of introduction of CFs was later in children with ASD than their TD counterparts. The age of introduction of CFs in ASD group was positively correlated with feeding problem. While the correlation was not observed in TD group. Children in the ASD group had higher total scores of the diet behavior questionnaire and all four subdomains (poor eating ability, mealtime eating behavior, food selectivity, and parental feeding behavior). ASD symptoms were clearly associated with feeding problems. The sensory subdomain score in ABC was positively correlated with poor eating ability, mealtime behavior and total score of the diet behavior questionnaire. The social self-care subdomain score was positively correlated with food selectivity. The interaction subdomain score was negative correlated with parental feeding behavior and total score of the diet behavior questionnaire. Further studies are required to establish the utility of delayed CFs introduction and/or early feeding problems as potential indicators of ASD.