Fecal microbiota transplants in pediatric autism: opportunities and challenges

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a prevalent pediatric neurodevelopmental disorder marked by challenges in social communication and repetitive behaviors. The increasing incidence of ASD has made it a significant global concern, profoundly impacting families and impeding the developmental progress of affected children [1]. Beyond the core neurodevelopmental issues, individuals with ASD frequently experience a range of co-occurring symptoms, including sleep disorders, seizures, obesity, malnutrition, and gastrointestinal issues [2, 3]. Gastrointestinal symptoms are particularly common, affecting nearly 50% of children with ASD, and typically manifest as diarrhea, constipation, or abdominal pain [4]. Due to the complexity of ASD and the limited efficacy of current treatments, clinicians and researchers have been exploring new therapy approaches. These include behavioral interventions and experimental therapies, such as oral probiotics, digestive enzyme supplementation, diet intervention, N-acetylcysteine, and sensory integration therapies [5‐7]. However, there are currently no consistently effective treatments for managing ASD. …