RESUMO
Objective: To investigate the possible therapeutic effects of camel milk on behavioral characteristics as an interventional strategy in autistic children
Study Design: Double-blind, Randomized Clinical Trial [RCT]
Place and Duration of Study: Autism Research and Treatment Center, Al-Amodi Autism Research Chair, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, King Khalid University Hospital, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from October 2012 to May 2013
Methodology: Changes in behavioral characteristics in 65 [boys=60, girls=5] children with autism [aged from 2 to 12 years] were assessed. The behavioral symptoms were evaluated by Childhood Autism Rating Scale [CARS], Social Responsiveness Scale [SRS], and Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist [ATEC] before and after the 2 weeks of camel milk therapy
Results: Significant differences were detected on Autism Spectrum Disorder [ASD] by CARS, SRS and ATEC scales, following 2 weeks of camel milk consumption, but not in the placebo group
Conclusion: The present study demonstrates that camel milk could be very promising therapeutic intervention in ASD. Further wide scale studies are strongly recommended