Table 1. Patient characteristics.
| Autoantibody negative (n=23) | Autoantibody positive (n=70) | |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 8 years 4 months | 6 years 8 months* |
| Male % | 96 | 89 |
| Family history | ||
| Multiple mischarges | 20% | 7% |
| Neural tube defects | 0% | 1% |
| Prematurity | 15% | 3% |
| ADHD | 25% | 28% |
| ASD | 10% | 24% |
| Learning disabilities | 40% | 33% |
| Anemia | 20% | 6% |
| Autoimmune disease | 60% | 24%** |
| Neurological disorder | 30% | 40% |
| Psychiatric disorder | 35% | 46% |
| Spectrum diagnosis | ||
| PDD-NOS | 43% | 34% |
| Autistic disorder | 52% | 64% |
| Asperger | 4% | 1% |
| Developmental profile | ||
| Early delay | 57% | 64% |
| Regression | 57% | 49% |
| Stagnation | 22% | 9% |
| Late symptoms | 9% | 13% |
| Regression type | ||
| Abrupt | 62% | 65% |
| Very slow | 38% | 18% |
| Gradual | 0% | 17% |
| Medical diagnosis | ||
| Prematurity | 13% | 9% |
| Cerebral palsy | 0% | 0% |
| Sensory integration disorder | 22% | 20% |
| Hypothyroidism | 11% | 37% |
| ADHD | 22% | 17% |
| Mitochondrial disease | 43% | 31% |
| Genetic disorder | 0% | 4% |
| Growth disorders | ||
| Failure to thrive | 9% | 10% |
| Accelerated growth | 0% | 4% |
| Microcephaly | 0% | 1% |
| Macrocephaly | 9% | 4% |
| Neurological disorders | ||
| Epilepsy | 39% | 30% |
| Ataxia | 4% | 6% |
| Hypotonia | 30% | 41% |
| Hypertonia | 5% | 2% |
| Nystagmus | 9% | 1% |
| Hearing loss | 0% | 4% |
| Visual loss | 4% | 1% |
| Gastrointestinal disorders | ||
| Diarrhea | 35% | 41% |
| Constipation | 39% | 36% |
| Gastroesophageal reflux | 13% | 14% |
| Inflammation | 39% | 23% |
| Dysbiosis | 30% | 29% |
| Lymphoid nodular hyperplasia | 4% | 3% |
| Sleep disorders | ||
| Insomnia | 39% | 23% |
| Poor sleep maintenance | 43% | 41% |
| Apnea | 4% | 3% |
| Periodic leg movement during sleep | 0% | 3% |
| Diagnostic tests | ||
| Electroencephalogram | ||
| Normal | 53% | 75% |
| Epileptiform | 35% | 20% |
| Slowing | 12% | 5% |
| Abnormal magnetic resonance imaging | 27% | 13% |
| Response to treatments | ||
| GFCF diet (n=30) | 88% | 86% |
| Milk-free diet (n=25) | 80% | 85% |
| Specific carbohydrate diet (n=13) | 67% | 40% |
| IVIG (n=16) | 100% | 93% |
| Steroids (n=12) | 67% | 89% |
| B12 injections (n=31) | 75% | 83% |
Abbreviation: ADHD, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; ASD, autism spectrum disorder; GFCF, gluten free casein free; IVIG, intravenous immunoglobulin; PDD-NOS, pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified.
*P<0.05.
**P<0.01.