Children with autism are no more likely to have gastrointestinal problems than those without, a new study indicates.

The research published Monday in the journal Pediatrics casts doubt on the practice of using gluten-free or dairy-free diets with children who have autism, as many parents have done in recent years.

Researchers studied 18-years worth of medical records for 124 children with autism and more than 200 children without the disorder. Overall, they found that the two groups were just as likely to have gastrointestinal problems, though the children with autism were more likely to be picky eaters or experience constipation.

The results indicate that there is no reason for children with autism to be put on a special diet, researchers say, without a diagnosis of a separate condition, reports The New York Times. To read more click here.

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