Meta-analysis of the efficacy of camel milk consumption for improving autism symptoms in children in randomized clinical trials

Background: Camel milk has emerged as a potential complementary therapy for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Aim: This study aimed to gather evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the effectiveness of camel milk consumption in improving symptoms and associated measures in children wi...

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Main Authors: Mahmoud Kandeel, Mohamed A. Morsy, Khalid M. Al Khodair, Sameer Alhojaily
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Tripoli University 2024-09-01
Series:Open Veterinary Journal
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Online Access:https://www.openveterinaryjournal.com/?mno=206445
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author Mahmoud Kandeel
Mohamed A. Morsy
Khalid M. Al Khodair
Sameer Alhojaily
author_facet Mahmoud Kandeel
Mohamed A. Morsy
Khalid M. Al Khodair
Sameer Alhojaily
author_sort Mahmoud Kandeel
collection DOAJ
description Background: Camel milk has emerged as a potential complementary therapy for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Aim: This study aimed to gather evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the effectiveness of camel milk consumption in improving symptoms and associated measures in children with ASD. Methods: Comprehensive searches of multiple databases were conducted up to March 14, 2024, for RCTs that had evaluated whether camel milk consumption by children with ASD was more beneficial than the consumption of a control substance. Quality and bias analyses and meta-anlaysis data were synthesized and analyzed. Results: Of 136 records identified, 5 RCTs (n = 299 children) were selected. The mean difference in scores on the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) for the group given camel milk and the control groups was a mean deviation (MD) ‒0.75, 95% CI ‒1.97 to 0.47, p = .23. The mean difference in CARS scores in the subgroup analyses for raw camel milk was MD ‒0.95, 95% CI ‒2.33 to 0.44, p = .18 and boiled camel milk MD ‒0.50, 95% CI ‒1.93 to 0.93, p = .49. A qualitative synthesis found that raw camel milk intake led to improvements in various social behaviors in children with ASD. Camel milk consumption resulted in increased levels of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory biomarkers, with some differences observed between patients given raw camel milk and boiled camel milk. Conclusion: Camel milk shows promise in improving social behaviors and certain biochemical markers in children with ASD, although the current meta-analysis did not document a significant statistical difference in CARS scores for the children studied. Future studies should focus on rigorous RCTs and larger sample sizes to substantiate these preliminary findings. [Open Vet J 2024; 14(9.000): 2441-2452]
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spelling doaj-art-4e482d94c8db4f8c9e587e19beb4a2bf2025-08-20T01:47:36ZengTripoli UniversityOpen Veterinary Journal2226-44852218-60502024-09-011492441245210.5455/OVJ.2024.v14.i9.33206445Meta-analysis of the efficacy of camel milk consumption for improving autism symptoms in children in randomized clinical trialsMahmoud Kandeel0Mohamed A. Morsy1Khalid M. Al Khodair2Sameer Alhojaily3King Faisal University King Faisal University King Faisal University King Faisal UniversityBackground: Camel milk has emerged as a potential complementary therapy for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Aim: This study aimed to gather evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the effectiveness of camel milk consumption in improving symptoms and associated measures in children with ASD. Methods: Comprehensive searches of multiple databases were conducted up to March 14, 2024, for RCTs that had evaluated whether camel milk consumption by children with ASD was more beneficial than the consumption of a control substance. Quality and bias analyses and meta-anlaysis data were synthesized and analyzed. Results: Of 136 records identified, 5 RCTs (n = 299 children) were selected. The mean difference in scores on the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) for the group given camel milk and the control groups was a mean deviation (MD) ‒0.75, 95% CI ‒1.97 to 0.47, p = .23. The mean difference in CARS scores in the subgroup analyses for raw camel milk was MD ‒0.95, 95% CI ‒2.33 to 0.44, p = .18 and boiled camel milk MD ‒0.50, 95% CI ‒1.93 to 0.93, p = .49. A qualitative synthesis found that raw camel milk intake led to improvements in various social behaviors in children with ASD. Camel milk consumption resulted in increased levels of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory biomarkers, with some differences observed between patients given raw camel milk and boiled camel milk. Conclusion: Camel milk shows promise in improving social behaviors and certain biochemical markers in children with ASD, although the current meta-analysis did not document a significant statistical difference in CARS scores for the children studied. Future studies should focus on rigorous RCTs and larger sample sizes to substantiate these preliminary findings. [Open Vet J 2024; 14(9.000): 2441-2452]https://www.openveterinaryjournal.com/?mno=206445autism spectrum disordercamel milkmeta-analysistherapeutic interventionchildhood autism rating scale
spellingShingle Mahmoud Kandeel
Mohamed A. Morsy
Khalid M. Al Khodair
Sameer Alhojaily
Meta-analysis of the efficacy of camel milk consumption for improving autism symptoms in children in randomized clinical trials
Open Veterinary Journal
autism spectrum disorder
camel milk
meta-analysis
therapeutic intervention
childhood autism rating scale
title Meta-analysis of the efficacy of camel milk consumption for improving autism symptoms in children in randomized clinical trials
title_full Meta-analysis of the efficacy of camel milk consumption for improving autism symptoms in children in randomized clinical trials
title_fullStr Meta-analysis of the efficacy of camel milk consumption for improving autism symptoms in children in randomized clinical trials
title_full_unstemmed Meta-analysis of the efficacy of camel milk consumption for improving autism symptoms in children in randomized clinical trials
title_short Meta-analysis of the efficacy of camel milk consumption for improving autism symptoms in children in randomized clinical trials
title_sort meta analysis of the efficacy of camel milk consumption for improving autism symptoms in children in randomized clinical trials
topic autism spectrum disorder
camel milk
meta-analysis
therapeutic intervention
childhood autism rating scale
url https://www.openveterinaryjournal.com/?mno=206445
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