Behavioral Benefits of Camel Milk in Subjects with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

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.