Food Difficulties in Infancy and ASD: A Literature Review
Marios Vasilakis,
Konstantinos Polychronis,
Eleni Panagouli,
Efthalia Tzila,
Alexia Papageorgiou,
Loretta Thomaidou,
Theodora Psaltopoulou,
Maria Tsolia,
Theodoros N. Sergentanis,
Artemis K. Tsitsika
Affiliations
Marios Vasilakis
MSc Program “Strategies of Developmental and Adolescent Health”, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 27 Athens, Greece
Konstantinos Polychronis
MSc Program “Strategies of Developmental and Adolescent Health”, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 27 Athens, Greece
Eleni Panagouli
MSc Program “Strategies of Developmental and Adolescent Health”, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 27 Athens, Greece
Efthalia Tzila
MSc Program “Strategies of Developmental and Adolescent Health”, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 27 Athens, Greece
Alexia Papageorgiou
MSc Program “Strategies of Developmental and Adolescent Health”, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 27 Athens, Greece
Loretta Thomaidou
MSc Program “Strategies of Developmental and Adolescent Health”, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 27 Athens, Greece
Theodora Psaltopoulou
MSc Program “Strategies of Developmental and Adolescent Health”, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 27 Athens, Greece
Maria Tsolia
MSc Program “Strategies of Developmental and Adolescent Health”, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 27 Athens, Greece
Theodoros N. Sergentanis
Department of Public Health Policy, School of Public Health, University of West Attica, 115 21 Athens, Greece
Artemis K. Tsitsika
MSc Program “Strategies of Developmental and Adolescent Health”, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 27 Athens, Greece
Purpose: The aim of this literature review is to investigate the potential association between specific food difficulties and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) during the first two years of life. Materials: The search was conducted in PubMed, Google Scholar, Embase and PsycInfo databases. Results: Twenty-one studies were synthesized (3763 infants and children). Difficulties during breastfeeding, breast milk refusal and avoidance of taking solids have been linked to ASD. Infants with ASD have been referred to as picky eaters. Problematic mealtime behaviour during infancy has also been associated with ASD. Conclusions: The present review highlights the association between food difficulties, including problematic mealtime behaviours, food selectivity, breastfeeding difficulties and food refusal during infancy and ASD early during life, including the first months.