Sleeping Problems And Gastrointestinal Problems And Their Relevant Factors In Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Objective:To explore the incidence of sleep problems and gastrointestinal problems in children with autism spectrum disorders,and actively explore the influencing factors of sleep and gastrointestinal problems in children with autism spectrum disorders（ASD）so as to provide references for prevention and intervention.Methods:We conducted case control study in this study,from September 2018 to September2019,121 children with autism spectrum disorder who met the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders in the United States,the 5th edition（DSM-V）and 135 normal children with gender and age in the same period were selected.We collected questionnaires on general situation and sleeping quality and gastrointestinal problems of all children,compared the sleeping quality and gastrointestinal problems of the children in two groups,and analyzed the relevant factors.Results:1.The incidence of sleeping problems in ASD group was 70.2%,the incidence of gastrointestinal problems in control group was 31.9%,there was statistical significance in the differences in the incidence of sleeping problems between the two groups(X^（17）=37.628,P=0.000).There was statistical significance in the difference in fear of falling asleep alone,difficult in falling asleep under the unfamiliar environment,molar,bedding,restless sleep and falling asleep within 20 minutes(X^（17）=13.417,P=0.000;X^（17）=11.084,P=0.001;X^（17）=9.564,P=0.002;X^（17）=5.901,P=0.015;X^（17）=4.998,P=0.025;Z=-2.179,P=0.029).2.Children living in the city,their father’s high educational level,their mother’s supplement of multivitamins during pregnancy,their mother’s emotional stability during pregnancy and children’s supplement of calcium after birth were protective factors affecting sleep（OR=0.155,P=0.028;OR=2.705,P=0.049;OR=0.485,P=0.037;OR=0.784,P=0.045;OR=3.597,P=0.035）.Children with picky eating and family history of mental illness are the risk factors of sleep problems in ASD children（OR=0.434,P=0.012;OR=0.432,P=0.026）.3.The incidence of gastrointestinal problems in ASD children was significantly higher than that in normal control group(66.94%vs.34.07%,X^（17）=-1.749,P<0.05).The incidence of ate less but were more likely to be full(X^（17）=1.75),partial food(X^（17）=-3.45),constipation(X^（17）=1.89),fecal incontinence(X^（17）=-1.50),thin stool(X^（17）=1.27),hematochezia(X^（17）=1.23),abdominal pain(X^（17）=3.82)in the Children in ASD group was higher than that in the control group.The incidences of constipation,partial food and abdominal pain were 32.23%,28.92%and 23.97%respectively.However,the incidence of postprandial abdominal distension in normal control group was higher than that in ASD group（14.07%vs.4.96%）.4.However,in this study,we did not find any factors related to gastrointestinal problems in children with autism spectrum disorders.Conclusions:1.Children with autism spectrum disorders had a higher incidence of sleep problems than normal children.2.Children living in the city,their father’s high educational level,their mother’s supplement of multivitamins during pregnancy,their mother’s emotional stability during pregnancy and children’s supplement of calcium after birth were protective factors affecting sleep.Children with picky eating and family history of mental illness are the risk factors of sleep problems in ASD children.3.The incidence of comorbid gastrointestinal problems in children with autism spectrum disorder was higher than that in normal control group,but no statistically significant influencing factors were found in this study.