Meta-analysis of effectiveness of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in management of autism spectrum disorder children

Abstract

Autism is a complex developmental condition that typically manifests in the first two years of life. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2015) reported prevalence 1 in 45 US children. . In Egypt 23.8% of studied toddlers in enrolled Primary Health Care Units were suspected to have ASD with a male: female ratio of 3:1. Numerous studies of autistic individuals have revealed evidence of cerebral hypoperfusion , neuroinflammation , gastrointestinal inflammation, immune dysregulation, oxidative stress, relative mitochondrial dysfunction, and neurotransmitter abnormalities .Treatment with HBOT has been shown to possess potent anti-inflammatory properties also has been reported to decrease the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines as well as increase counter-inflammatory levels . Some investigators speculated that HBOT may be useful in improving behavioral and physiological abnormalities found in some children with ASD