Autism is quite common. According to the World Health Organization, it affects about 1 in 100 people. However, the reasons for its occurrence are not always clear. Genetics are thought to play a role, but a number of other factors may also be involved. These include complications during birth, exposure to polluted air, and even gender. Males are almost four times more likely to be diagnosed with autism.
Currently, autism diagnosis relies on behavioral assessments and developmental screenings. These methods can be subjective, time-consuming, and dependent on the availability of trained professionals.
According to Drexel University, the average age of autism diagnosis in the United States is five. This means children may miss out on vital help and support during a critical time of early development.
The study, published in the journal Nature Microbiology, analyzed stool samples from 1,627 children ages 1 to 13. It revealed that the gut microbiomes of children with and without autism were visibly different.
In total, 51 bacterial species, 18 viruses, 14 archaea, seven fungi and a dozen metabolic pathways were identified — all of which were altered in children with autism.
Using a machine learning algorithm, scientists were able to identify autistic children with 82% accuracy based on 31 microbes and biological functions in the digestive system.
There are two ways that the gut microbiome of an autistic person differs from that of a neurotypical person. One is that autistic people have less bacterial diversity in their gut, and the other is that they have more pathogenic bacteria—those that are less favorable and can produce certain toxins.
Source: Ferra
I am a professional journalist and content creator with extensive experience writing for news websites. I currently work as an author at Gadget Onus, where I specialize in covering hot news topics. My written pieces have been published on some of the biggest media outlets around the world, including The Guardian and BBC News.
