الفهرس | Only 14 pages are availabe for public view |
Abstract Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has increased in prevalence over the past several years. Children with ASD are at a high risk of suboptimal bone development due to the use of certain medications. This is because, these medications interfere with bone metabolism. They include, antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, antiepileptics and systemic corticosteroids. In addition to their poor dietary habits of food selectivity, refusal and sensory aversion, limited exposure to sunlight and decrease in physical activity have been found to have a great effect on bone mineral density. Moreover, increased fracture risk is also a major consequence of low bone mineral density. The major goal of the present study is to investigate the effect of antipsychotic medications and medical supplements on bone mineral density in ASD children. The current study included 36 children who were diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (31 boys and 5 girls). Their ages were ranging from 3 – 9 years. The results obtained from the conducted study showed that antipsychotic medications and medical supplements have had an effect on bone mineral density. They have caused osteopenia in majority of the cases.The results of DEXA scan of the whole body have showed that 72.2% of autistic children had osteopenia. The DEXA lumbar spine scan showed that 80.6% children had osteopenia, while DEXA hip scan showed 58.1%. Despite that the results must be interpreted with caution due to the small number of the sample, it still indicated that antipsychotic medications had an effect on bone mineral density resulting in osteopenia. |