Autistic traits and eating problems in young children

Investigating the Prevalence and Associations of Autistic Traits, Feeding Difficulties, and Atypical Sensorimotor Integration in the Hungarian Early Childhood Population.

This project will test whether autistic traits in children aged 1.5–6 are linked to feeding difficulties by using Hungarian parent questionnaires and in-person checks.

Quick facts

• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 600 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Months to 6 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Semmelweis University (other)
• Locations: 1 site (Budapest)
• Trial ID: NCT07188870 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

The project will translate, adapt, and validate parent-report screening questionnaires into Hungarian and then administer the finalized tools to a large sample of parents of children aged 1.5–6. Responses will be used to estimate how common autistic traits and feeding problems are in the general population and to look for associations between them. In a clinical phase, children and their parents will be invited for in-person assessments to observe eating behaviors, measure sensory and somatic factors, and collect additional parental measures such as anxiety and attachment. The clinical assessments will be compared with earlier questionnaire responses to refine the screening approach and identify additional influencing factors.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Parents of children aged 1.5 to 6 years — including those with a formal ASD diagnosis, children showing signs of ASD, or neurotypical children — who can give consent and complete questionnaires in Hungarian are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Children whose feeding issues are caused by other developmental disorders, those living in institutional care separated from parents, children on medications that affect feeding, or families unable to complete questionnaires due to severe communication or educational barriers are unlikely to benefit from this protocol.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could enable earlier identification of autism-related feeding problems in Hungarian primary care and speed referral to support and therapies.

How similar studies have performed: Research elsewhere has repeatedly found links between autism and feeding difficulties and questionnaire-based screening can work in other settings, but translating and validating these tools for Hungarian primary care is a new application.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Age between 1.5 and 6 years
* Diagnostic status:
* Diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder;
* Showing signs of ASD without formal diagnosis;
* Neurotypical development
* Children and their parents
* Parental consent to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

* Developmental disorders affecting feeding
* Children living in institutional care separated from parents
* Medication affecting feeding behavior
* Malnutrition due to poverty
* Parents with low educational attainment or severe communication difficulties preventing questionnaire completion

Where this trial is running

Budapest

• Bethesda Children's Hospital — Budapest, Hungary (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Krisztina Szalkay, MD

Conditions: Autism Spectrum Disorder