Abstract

Background: Autism was once thought to be an uncommon developmental disorder, but recent studies have reported increased prevalence and the condition is now thought to occur in at least 1% of children. It is being identified in increasing numbers in Bangladesh. In a study conducted by WHO and National Institute of Mental Health the prevalence of Autism is found to be 8 per 1000 in Bangladesh.

Objective: To find out the development in behavior of children with ASD.

Methods: This Randomized control trial study among the patient attending in Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health & Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh. The study was carried out 6 months from Januaruy, 2019 to Jun, 2019. A total of 40 children (6 years or under 6 years) having Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), that of randomly selected (lottery method) 20 children received a specific dietary intervention was considered as group I and 20 children who not received a specific dietary intervention was considered as group II, who came in the MTW (More than word) clinic were included in this study. Children having Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) of both sexes who were 6 years old and below.

Results: Behavioral domains of children with ASD are the main outcome variables. Autism Spectrum Disorders was more common in male children, where male to female ratio was 5.7:1 in group I and 19:1 in group II and 9:1 in the whole study patients. Most of the patients came from Dhaka district in both groups, which was 16(80.0%) in group I and 18(90.0%) in group II. No schooling patients was found 14(70.0%) in group I and 13(65.0%) in group II. Patients had previous medical help was found 16(80.0%) in group I and 17(85.0%) in group II. Most of the parents were master degree pass in both groups. Eighty percent (80.0%) in group I and 15(75.0%) in group II patients came from upper (20,000->50,000 tk) income group family. The mean post social relationship was 3.67±0.47 in group I and 3.87±0.51 in group II. Mean pre per interaction was found 2.43±0.53 in group I and 2.28±0.48 in group II. The mean post peer interaction was 3.25±0.60 in group I and 3.29±0.53 in group II. Mean pre communication was found 2.58±0.61 in group I and 2.12±0.77 in group II. Mean post communication was found 3.77±0.61 in group I and 3.65±0.68 in group II. Mean pre sensory a response was found 2.82±0.59 in group I and 2.96±0.75 in group II. The mean post sensory responses was found 3.58±0.55 in group I and 3.64±0.48 in group II. All specific behaviors were significantly (p<0.05) improved within the groups from pre to post intervention period, but no significant (p>0.05) difference were found between the groups during post intervention period.

Conclusion: The improvements in behavior of children with ASD were almost similar between two groups.

Keywords

  • sanitation infrastructure
  • groundwater quality
  • human health
  • peri-urban areas
  • waterborne diseases.