ArticlePediatric research2026
Gut microbiota are linked to gastrointestinal symptoms and behavioral changes but not inflammation in autism spectrum disorder: a cross-sectional analysis.
Article in Pediatric research, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
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Authors and funding
22 authors.
Funding
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Abstract
backgroundGastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are increased in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We examined the relationship between ASD severity, intestinal inflammation, gut permeability, and dysbiosis.
methodsOur cross-sectional study examined baseline data from a clinical trial and included stools from typically developing (TD) controls and siblings. GI symptom severity was assessed using GI severity index (GSI) with Bristol stool scoring, while ASD symptoms were quantified using Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS-2). Biomarkers including plasma zonulin, occludin, and S100A9, and fecal calprotectin levels, were measured to assess intestinal permeability and inflammation. Fecal microbiota was analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing.
resultsSeventy-two children with ASD were included for biomarker analysis, and 135 children's stools for microbiome analysis. A statistically significant correlation was observed between GSI and SRS-2 scores (p = 0.02). GSI and SRS-2 scores did not correlate with measured biomarkers, none of which were elevated above published normal values. Children with ASD had reduced fecal richness and distinct clustering of organisms, with increased relative abundance of Fusicatenibacter, Blautia, Sarcina, and Eubacterium, compared to TD children.
conclusionsChildren with ASD who had GI symptoms had increased Bacteroides and Ruminococci. Dysbiosis correlated with common GI symptoms, including flatulence, foul stools, and nighttime awakening. IMPACT: Children with ASD who have more disturbed social awareness are prone to more severe GI symptoms, reduced fecal microbial diversity and abnormal fecal microbial composition. Certain stool microbial taxa correlated with total GI symptom scores as well as with specific GI symptoms including flatulence, abdominal pain/irritability, and foul-smelling stools. However, we found no evidence of gastrointestinal or systemic inflammation, nor of increased gut permeability to explain the symptoms.
Identifiers
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.