Prevalence of GFCF Diet in Children With Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Sanela Ćirić; Olivera Bojanić Kosović

doi:10.59519/mper4015

Authors

Sanela Ćirić JU Centar ‘’Zaštiti me’’ Banja Luka, Bosna i Hercegovina Author
Olivera Bojanić Kosović NVO ‘’Udruženje za pomoć licima ometenim u psihofizičkom razvoju’’ Nikšić, Crna Gora Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59519/mper4015

Keywords:

parents, autism, GFCF diet, genetics

Abstract

According to scientific findings, a large number of children with autism have gastrointestinal problems, mainly caused by Candida albicans. Given the increased number of children with autism, a large number of doubts about the occurrence of these disorders and insufficiently clear interpretations of scientific knowledge, parents are trying different methods to influence the child’s condition. One of the popular approaches is the implementation of a gluten-free, casein-free diet (GFCF) in children with autism. The aim of the research is to examine the number of children with autism spectrum and children with developmental disorders of various etiologies who were or are on the GFCF diet and what their experiences are. The questionnaire was used as a research instrument. The sample consisted of 80 parents, 40 parents of children with autism and 40 parents of children with various intellectual disabilities. Data were statistically processed by quantitative method. The obtained results indicate that a total of 22.5% of children were on the GFCF diet (N = 40), of which the percentage of children with autism who were or are on the GFCF diet is 40% (N = 16), while only 5% (N=2) children with other neurodevelopmental disorders were on a diet. Although a large difference in diet implementation was observed between the two groups, where parents of children with autism are more likely to implement a diet. It can be seen that more parents do not practice this type of treatment in their children. However, there are still a large number of parents of children with autism (40%) who use diet as a medical treatment for autism symptoms, which is wrong. Research shows that genetic factors play a dominant role in the development of autism. The question arises about the sufficient information of parents of children with autism about the real aspects of autism and its prognosis.

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