Cow's milk and gluten allergy in correlation with behaviour in autism children in Malaysia

Background:

Autism is a neuropsychiatric condition that presents with abnormal, bizarre behaviour patterns and accompanied by learning difficulties. Peptides known as casamorphin (from milk proteins) and gliadinomorphin (from gluten protein) are absorbed from the gut into the blood stream leading to the theory of "leaky gut syndrome".

Methods:

Eighty-four autism children, divided into 2 groups: younger age (less than 5 years) and an older age group (5 to 19 years) were skin prick tested (SPT) to a panel of food allergens. Blood test for specific Immunoglobulin E (IgE) to cow's milk, wheat, soya and oat, specific Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and Immunoglobulin A (IgA) to alpha-lactalbumin, beta-lactoglobulin, casein and gliadin were carried out. Questionnaires on behavioural pattern of children were filled by parents.

Results:

The majority of autism children were Chinese (76.2%) and male (88%). In the younger group, we found that SPT to soya 8.3%, wheat 3.5%, and cow's milk 2.3%. Specific IgE to cow's milk 9.52%, wheat 2.3%, and soya 1.2%. 8.3% had detectable levels to IgG alpha-lactalbumin, 5.9% to IgG beta-lactoglobulin, 1.2% to IgA beta-lactoglobulin and 4.76% to IgG casein. No IgA alpha-lactalbumin, IgG casein, IgG gliadin, IgA casein and IgA gliadin were detected in this group of children. In the older children, 23% has positive SPT to wheat, 17.8% to soya, and 9.5% to cow's milk. Specific IgE to cow's milk and wheat was 9.52% whereas to soya 8.3%. 11.9% had detectable IgG alpha-lactalbumin, 7.1% to IgG beta-lactoglobulin, 3.5% to IgG gliadin while 2.3% had detectable levels of IgG casein, IgA alpha-lactalbumin, beta-lactoglobulin, gliadin and 1.2% to IgA casein. As to behavioural pattern, the study showed that 70.6% of younger group and 64.2% of older group presented with unawareness of the world, 88.4% in younger group has poor eye contact compared to 61.2% in older group. There is not much difference in general learning ability and antisocial behaviour observed in both groups. In conclusion this study showed children 5 years and above had a higher SPT positivity to wheat and cow's milk. Casein was found to be low in both age groups and no gliadin was detected in the younger group. Behavioural pattern seemed to be improving as they became older and has no correlation with cow's milk and gluten allergy.