Food selectivity and neophobia in children with autism spectrum disorder and neurotypical development: a systematic review

CONTEXT

Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have common eating problems, including food refusal, dietary restrictions, and behavioral problems during eating.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this systematic review was to find more clear evidence on the relationship between food selectivity or food neophobia (FN) and ASD in children up to age 14 years. The PECO-based question was: Are food selectivity and FN behaviors more prevalent in children with ASD than in children with neurotypical development (NTD)?, in which the P is children, E is ASD, C is children with NTD, and O is food selectivity and FN.

DATA SOURCES

Clinical studies in the databases PubMed, Embase and Web of Science, comparing children with ASD and those with NTD, were reviewed from October 1966 to October 2021.

STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION

A total of 122 studies were analyzed for summary reading, and only 17 of these were included in the descriptive qualitative analysis. In 9 studies, the analysis of food selectivity was performed via a questionnaire.

RESULTS

The results showed that children with ASD are more selective than those with NTD. Four studies evaluated FN through scales; however, only 2 found higher levels of FN in the ASD group than in children with NTD. The sensory profile was measured using questionnaires in 9 studies, and we found that altered sensory processing is more common in children with ASD.

CONCLUSION

Children with ASD present greater food selectivity than children with NTD. However, the occurrence of FN was higher in only 50% in which FN was investigated, which points to a need for studies that compare FN between siblings with ASD and those with NTD in the same family nucleus. In addition, atypical oral sensitivity seems to be a sensory characteristic most related to eating disorders.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO registration no. CRD42021247880.

Oral rehabilitation of patients after maxillectomy. A systematic review

Patients who have maxillectomy can be rehabilitated with reconstructive surgery or obturator prostheses with or without osseointegratable implants. To identify studies on possible treatments in this group, we systematically searched the Scopus, Embase, PubMed/Medline, and Cochrane databases to collect data on patients' characteristics, radiotherapy, and results related to speech, swallowing, mastication or diet, chewing, aesthetics, and quality of life. Of the 1376 papers found, six were included, and one other was included after an additional search of references. A total of 252 patients were included, and of them, 86 had reconstructive surgery, 91 were treated with obturator prostheses, 39 had reconstructive surgery or obturator prostheses associated with implants, and 36 had reconstruction plus an obturator prosthesis. Data on radiotherapy were incomplete. There is a lack of consensus about the indication for rehabilitation, as the treatment must be based on the individual characteristics of each patient.