Associations of Autistic Traits and Feeding Difficulties

Recruiting

• Conditions: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

• Registration Number: NCT07188870
• Lead Sponsor: Semmelweis University

Brief Summary

The objective is to assess the prevalence of autistic traits and feeding disorders in the general population.

Detailed Description

The objective of our research is twofold:

I. Firstly, the objective is to assess the prevalence of autistic traits and feeding disorders in the general population. The long-term goal is to develop a widely applicable screening tool for early autism detection that can be widely applied by primary care professionals.

1. To implement this survey, it is necessary to translate, adapt, and validate the screening instruments (questionnaires) into Hungarian.

2. The objective of the study is to administer the finalised version of the questionnaire to a large sample of parents, with a view to investigating the associations between autism and eating difficulties.

II. Secondly, in the clinical phase of our study, we aim to investigate in greater depth the relationship between feeding difficulties and autism spectrum disorder. In this phase, participants (children in the study group and their parents) will undergo in-person assessments and complete additional questionnaires:

1. For the objective observation of eating difficulties and autistic symptoms, as well as to compare these findings with earlier responses to the screening questionnaire;

2. To identify potential additional influencing factors, we will assess the child's somatic status and sensory sensitivities, as well as parental attitudes (e.g., anxiety, attachment, attitudes).

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2025-01-10
• Study First Submitted: 2025-07-25
• Status Verified: 2025-09
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-09-16
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-09-16
• Study First Posted: 2025-09-23
• Last Update Posted: 2025-09-23
• Primary Completion: 2026-12-31
• Study Completion: 2027-09-30

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 600

Inclusion Criteria

• Age between 1.5 and 6 years
• Diagnostic status:
• Diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder;
• Showing signs of ASD without formal diagnosis;
• Neurotypical development
• Children and their parents
• Parental consent to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria

• Developmental disorders affecting feeding
• Children living in institutional care separated from parents
• Medication affecting feeding behavior
• Malnutrition due to poverty
• Parents with low educational attainment or severe communication difficulties preventing questionnaire completion

Study & Design

• Study Type: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Brief Autism Mealtime Behavior Inventory "BAMBI"scores	Cross-sectional study. Through study completion, an average of two years.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Bethesda Children's Hospital; 🇭🇺 Budapest, Hungary