ASPECTS OF INSULIN RESISTANCE IN CHILDREN WITH AUTISM

Purpose: To investigate aspects of insulin resistance in children with autism. Material/Methods: In January 2024, the search was conducted using three bibliographic databases: PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Mendeley. The objective of the search was to find relevant sources on metabolic diseases Insulin resistance (IR) in Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) from 2016 to 2023. The search technique involved using the terms and keywords: "(IR OR Insulinopathie) AND (child OR toddler OR adolescent OR school age) AND (ASD OR Autism)." The two independent reviewers (RB and AT) systematically conducted the data extraction process. Results: There is no conclusive evidence that prenatal insulin resistance is a risk factor for the onset of autism. Poor eating habits, lack of physical activity, presence of other medical conditions, and use of medications can contribute to increased obesity rates in children with ASD, leading to potential health issues like diabetes, insulin problems, and heart disease. Some experts highlight the metabolic risks, specifically insulin resistance, associated with prescribing antipsychotic drugs to children with autism. Risperidone causes a notable increase in weight and serum triglyceride levels, even when used briefly. Teenagers with autism spectrum disorder demonstrate increased HOMA-IR levels, possibly indicating decreased glucose utilization in certain areas of the brain. Conclusion: Understanding how insulin resistance affects peripheral metabolism and the CNS could lead to extensive research to enhance the neuropsychological development of children with autism and have implications for public health.