Efficacy of porcine secretin in children with autism and pervasive developmental disorder.

Abstract

Secretin, a gastrointestinal (GI) hormone, was reported in a preliminary study to improve language and behavior in children with autism/pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) and chronic diarrhea. To determine the efficacy of secretin, we completed a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover (3 weeks) study in children with autism/PDD and various GI conditions using a single dose of intravenous porcine secretin. Children with chronic, active diarrhea showed a reduction in aberrant behaviors when treated with the secretin but not when treated with the placebo. Children with no GI problems are unaffected by either secretin or placebo. The improvement seen with secretin in children with autism/PDD and chronic diarrhea suggests that there may be a subtype of children with autism/PDD who respond to secretin.

• Authors: Janet K Kern, S Van Miller, Patricia A Evans, Madhukar H Trivedi
• Journal: Journal of autism and developmental disorders (J Autism Dev Disord) Vol. 32 Issue 3 Pg. 153-60 (Jun 2002) ISSN: 0162-3257 [Print] United States
• PMID: 12108616 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Secretin

Topics

• Autistic Disorder (complications, diagnosis, drug therapy)
• Child
• Child Development Disorders, Pervasive (complications, diagnosis, drug therapy)
• Child, Preschool
• Chronic Disease
• Comorbidity
• Constipation (complications, drug therapy)
• Cross-Over Studies
• Diarrhea (complications, drug therapy)
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Personality Assessment
• Secretin (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Treatment Outcome