Dietary Patterns, Nutritional Status and Dental Caries Experience Among Children and Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder Attending City Primary School in Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

Introduction Autism Spectrum Disorder is a neurodevelopment condition that is diagnosed in early childhood. Various studies globally, reveal that children with Autism Spectrum Disorder have unique dietary patterns that predispose them to dental caries and nutritional deficiencies and unhealthy weight. There is however, paucity of information on dietary patterns, nutritional status and dental caries experience among children and adolescents with ASD in Kenya. Study objective To determine the dietary patterns, nutritional status and dental caries experience among children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Study population Eighty two children aged from 6-17 years with ASD attending City Primary School in Nairobi, Kenya. Study design This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. Materials and methods All the children in the school with ASD, who met the inclusion criteria, were recruited in the study. Data was collected in the form of questionnaires, anthropometric measurements for nutritional status and clinical oral examination of the children and adolescents. The data was entered into a computer database and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0 of Windows, and WHO Anthro-plus statistical programme for nutritional data. The results were presented in tables and figures and various appropriate univariate and bivariate analysis carried out and appropriate statistical inferences made...............................................................................................