Published studies have reported that an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) phenotype co-occurs frequently in children with autism spectrumdisorder(ASD)having chronic gastrointestinal(GI)symptoms. Ileocolitis(inflammationof ileum and colon) is a frequent finding in GI symptomatic children with ASD undergoing diagnostic ileo- colonoscopy and, in our clinical experience, is the cause of the GI symptoms. Published data have consistently shown that active gastrointestinal symptoms can affect behavior, sleep, anxiety levels, as well as the severity of core ASD features. In fact, the severity of GI symptoms in many patients is more concerning to the parents than the autism itself and more severely impacts quality of life. Pharmaceutical treatment of ASD-associated IBD largely resolves GI symptoms.
To date, clinical and behavioral outcomes following treatment of ASD-associated IBD have not yet been systematically evaluated, documented, analyzed, and re- ported. The talks in this two-part lecture will discuss: (1) the rationale for, and development of, a treatment study to assess changes that occur in children with autism that are treated for ileocolonic inflammation (Dr. Krigsman), and (2) the findings in the first 11 participants to complete this 52-week trial (Dr. Walker).
Speaker: Arthur Krigsman,MD
Dr. Krigsman is board certified in pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology, and nutrition. B.A.: John’s Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland; M.D.: State University of New York at Brooklyn; Residency (Pediatrics): State University of New York at Brooklyn; Fellowship (Pediatric Gastro- enterology): Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, New York. Bio from different year: Dr. Krigsman is a pediatrician and pediatric gastroenterologist with interna-tionally recognized expertise in the evaluation and treatment of autism associated gastrointestinal problems. His interest in this unique patient population began in 2001 and during the ensuing [many] years he has treated over [many thousands of] children from across the globe suffering from autism and a variety of gastrointestinal problems. His research interest lies in the characterization of the unique cellular, molecular, and clinical features of ASD-associated inflammatory bowel disease and his original findings appear in numerous peer-reviewed journals. In addition to serving as an invited reviewer for peer-reviewed medical journal author submissions in his area of expertise, Dr. Krigsman has served as a guest lecturer on the topic of gastrointestinal disease and autism at national and international scientific meetings, hospital Grand Rounds both here and abroad, Nurse Association meetings, philanthropic organizations, and at numerous lay medical confer- ences. He has also presented his findings before the U.S. Congress. His greatest satisfaction though derives from the clinical care he provides his patients and in the improved quality of life that results from diagnosing and treating gastrointestinal disease in this vulnerable population. He maintains offices in both New York City and Austin, Texas.
