Effects of a prebiotic supplement on child behaviour and parental quality of life in autism spectrum disorder

This pilot double-blind randomised controlled trial investigated whether using prebiotics to modify the gut bacteria of children with autism spectrum disorder could increase parental quality of life by improving child stress, meal-time behaviour, sleep and gastrointestinal symptoms. Children were randomised to 2.4g of the prebiotic-galactooligosaccharides (GOS) or placebo each day for 6 weeks (N=38). Changes in gut bacteria, basal cortisol and behaviours of interest were measured. GOS was well tolerated and significantly increased Bifidobacterium, but there was no difference between the intervention or control groups on other outcomes. Parental QOL improved in both groups participating in the trial.