Volume 30, Issue 173, July 2026

Oral and Gut Microbiota in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Symptoms and Therapeutic Approaches

Agata Kolanek^1♦, Karolina Kaczmarczyk², Izabela Ślinko³, Daria Metelkina⁴, Ewa Dryl-Jarmoc³, Gabriela Kuliś³, Zuzanna Panas³, Kacper Krawczuk², Jakub Dziemianczuk², Mateusz Zimowski³, Piotr Kadysz³, Mateusz Czajkowski³

¹Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
²University Clinical Hospital, Bialystok, Poland
³Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
⁴Faculty of Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan Poland

^♦Corresponding author
Agata Kolanek, Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of Bialystok Bialystok, Poland

ABSTRACT

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), due to its rising prevalence, poses a global public health issue. It is a neurodevelopmental disorder marked by difficulties in social communication, language, and repetitive behaviors. These disorders may be associated with irritability, sleep problems, withdrawal, stereotypical behaviors, or sudden changes in behavior. Therefore, this review focuses on symptoms and practical therapeutic approaches related to the oral and gut microbiome. The microbiota-gut-brain axis plays an important role not only in regulating digestion but also in brain development and function. Disruptions in this axis may contribute to the development or persistence of symptoms associated with ASD. The gut microbiota is essential for maintaining homeostasis, and dysbiosis can negatively affect key physiological processes. Studies have shown differences in the composition of the gut and oral microbiomes between individuals with ASD and neurotypical control subjects. Diet can further modulate the gut microbiome and influence selected outcomes.

Keywords: autism spectrum disorder; gut microbiota; oral microbiota; gastrointestinal symptoms; food selectivity; probiotics; supportive interventions; microbiota-gut-brain axis

Medical Science, 2026, 30, e135ms3930

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Published: 27 July 2026