AUTHOR=Sakamornchai Wirada , Dumrongwongsiri Oraporn , Siwarom Sirinapa 

TITLE=Case Report: Vitamin C combined with multiple micronutrient deficiencies is associated with pulmonary arterial hypertension in children with autistic spectrum disorder

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Nutrition

VOLUME=Volume 9 - 2022

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2022.928026

DOI=10.3389/fnut.2022.928026

ISSN=2296-861X

ABSTRACT=Children with developmental and behavioral problem including autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) may have inappropriate feeding behaviors, which leads to increase risk of multiple nutrient deficiencies. Vitamin C deficiency is one of the common nutrient deficiency reported in children with inappropriate feeding. This case report illustrates 2 cases of ASD children with a clinical presentation of pulmonary arterial hypertension, a rare presentation of vitamin C deficiency. Vitamin C supplementation, pulmonary vasodilator and supportive treatment were provided. Patients could recover from the illness and could be discharged from the hospital in a short time. In addition to vitamin C, the patients also had multiple micronutrient deficiencies. Nutrition counseling was given and micronutrient supplement was continued until follow up.  Regular nutrition assessment and counseling among children with ASD are needed to prevent nutrient deficiencies which may lead to life-threatening complications.