Association of feeding patterns in infancy with later autism symptoms and neurodevelopment: a national multicentre survey

BACKGROUND: We aimed to compare differences in infant feeding patterns (breastfeeding and complementary food supplementation) between children with the autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and typically developing (TD) children through a multicentre study. The relationship between these patterns and later core symptoms and neurodevelopment in children with ASD was also investigated. METHODS: We analysed breastfeeding and complementary feeding patterns in 1389 children with ASD and 1190 TD children. The Children Neuropsychological and Behavior Scale-Revision 2016 (CNBS-R2016) was used to assess neurodevelopmental levels. The Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC), Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS), Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), and ASD Warning Behavior Subscale of the CNBS-R2016 were used to assess ASD symptoms. RESULTS: Children with ASD had a shorter breastfeeding duration in infancy (8 (3–12) months vs. 10 (6–14) months, P < 0.001), later introduction of complementary foods (P < 0.001), and poorer acceptance of complementary foods (P < 0.001) than TD children. Total ABC and CARS scores were lower in the group of children with ASD who had been breastfed for 12 months or more than in the group who had been breastfed for less than 6 months. Children with ASD who were given complementary food after 6 months had lower general quotient (GQ), adaptive ability, fine motor and language scores than those who were given complementary food within 4–6 months. Children with ASD with poor acceptance of complementary foods had higher ABC and SRS scores and lower gross motor scores than those who had good acceptance. CONCLUSIONS: Children with ASD have a shorter duration of breastfeeding, a later introduction of complementary foods, and poorer acceptance of complementary foods than TD children. These feeding patterns may be related to the symptoms and growth of children with ASD. The research suggests that continued breastfeeding for longer than 12 months may be beneficial in reducing ASD symptoms and that infants who have difficulty introducing complementary foods should be followed up for neurodevelopment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The ethics committee of the Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University approved the study. Approval Number: (2018) IRB (STUDY) NO. 121, and registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (Registration number: ChiCTR2000031194, registered on 23/03/2020). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12888-023-04667-2.