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Gastroenterology  (Expert Forum)
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What could be causing my Autistic son to have orange stools?
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
Kevin Pho, MD Boston - MA
This forum is for questions regarding Gastroenterology issues such as Acid Reflux (GERD), Barretts Esophagus, Colitis, Colon/Bowel Disorders, Crohn's Disease, Diverticulitis/ Diverticulosis, Digestive Disorders, IBS, Stomach Pain.
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MedHelp Member's Question

What could be causing my Autistic son to have orange stools?

by JenzDeals, Sep 16, 2003 12:00AM
My son is 4 1/2 years old and Autistic.  Since my son was about a year old, he consistantly has soft orange stools, usually with little or no smell.  We have changed his diet off and on for the past 2 years to see if anything would change, i.e., we removed all dairy and casein, then wheat and gluten, then both, then reintroduced both seperatley, yet he still has orange stools. We are fairly certain that he has some digestive/absorption/gut permeability problems, and are starting enzyme therapy to address some of those problems.  He has also had problems with yeast, which we are treating now with probiotics.  We have been giving him vitamin supplaments but he had orange stools before we gave him the vitamins, although it seems like the vitamins make the stools more orange. We just recently gave him an Organic Acid test and are awaiting the results.  Could the orange stools be due to some unknown culprit, like a parasite?  Are there any diseases or conditions that have orange stools as a typical sign or symptom?
Doctor's Answer

by Kevin Pho, MD, Sep 17, 2003 12:00AM
Medications such as Rifampin (an antibiotic) and beta-carotene (a form of vitamin A) can cause orange stools as a side effect.  



I am unaware of a parasite causing orange stools.



If the stool is more pale-orange, lack of bile salt (which gives stool a brownish color), antacids containing aluminum hydroxide, barium from recent barium enema test, and hepatitis can be causes of this.  I would consider checking some baseline liver tests to evaluate for this.



Followup with your personal physician is essential.



This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.



Thanks,

Kevin, M.D.

Member Comments (9)

by PAJ, Sep 16, 2003 12:00AM
Jenz , I’m sorry to hear of your sons problem , as you probably know autism is always accompanied with a vastly altered gut flora. That could  point to your sons problem . Without tests it’s impossible to say for sure what is causing the orange stools, but it is associated with liver problems ,that would fall inline with pathogenic organisms  in the gut producing toxins that the liver processes. Many people with a candida infection report Orange stools!. No smell could be inappropriate gut flora. I see you have taken the Organic Acid test that will identify yeast toxins [metabolites] yeast infections & autism go hand in hand. Many autistic children have improved dramatically when the yeast infection is treated some to the point of being considered  cured.. Read my posts below & the sites here, get back to me with any conclusions.

BTW   mercury poisoning  seems to have been ruled out,the problem is metabolising mercury.  The latest thinking is something overwhelms the immune system allowing yeast to grow to the point that it becomes pathogenic this altered gut condition allows other pathogenic organisms to proliferate Chief suspect is vaccines many gulf war syndrome combatants developed GWS even though they were never deployed . they were given the vaccine shots. Hope this helps cant think of anything more at the moment . if you need specific info I’ll dig it out .

Question, do you associate your sons autism with the triple MMM vaccine?





Autism and the Human Gut Microflora

http://www.fst.rdg.ac.uk/research/fmsu/Autism.htm

Toxic metal clue to autism

      http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2003-06/ns-tmc061803.php

by PAJ, Sep 17, 2003 12:00AM
Jenz,  I missed a few points, , If the Organic Acid test finds yeast metabolites in the urine  because of the way the body works it indicates a systemic infection . Treating the infection with probiotics  unfortunately   does not work .Crowding out the bad with good bugs is a wonderful thought but it just doesn’t happen. The effect of probiotics is transient, whilst taking them you will find them in the stool stop taking them you don’t find them in stool . What makes a microbe a fixture in the gut is unknown, our resident flora is recognised as self, To change inappropriate gut flora back to a healthy stock if you like is a lengthy business & it takes prescription drugs. Fungal infections evade & depress the immune system , other co-infections are common. I note you use the term “we are treating” ,is that you as parents ? Is your doctor supportive , is he interested in trying to cure your son?

I have the references to the above information if you need them

by JenzDeals, Sep 18, 2003 12:00AM
To: PAJ
PAJ,



"We" refers to me, my husband and our son's Dr.  We have been taking our son to see a Dr. who follows the DAN! protocol in treating Autism.  My son has a regular Pediatrician, who has not been any help with any of my son's symptoms, on the contrary, he usually offers to prescribe antibiotics for everything and nothing more.  The DAN! Dr. has run some basic tests.  Our son does have an overgrowth of yeast;  he does not have elevated levels of toxic substances, namely Mercury; and he has a mild to moderate intolerance to Wheat (Gluten).  



My belief is that my son was typically developing until 1 year old or so.  I think that it was the combination of so many vaccinations in such a short period of time, and too many antibiotics (due to a number of sinus infections), his little immune system couldn't handle it.  Our son's pediatrician was VERY pro-vaccination and VERY pro-antibiotics, like a lot of pediatricians  Our son had all the normal vaccines and some additional ones; chicken pox, pnumeococol/strep, meningitis, etc.  He had more than 30 vaccines  before he was 3 years old!



I will inquire about the prebiotic/synbiotic treatment for the overgrowth of yeast to my son's DAN! Dr. at our next appointment. I will also request that his liver functioning be tested.  



I am very interested in more information about changing "inappropriate gut flora back to healthy stock."  Which prescription drugs work for this?  Anti-funguls?  Would we need additional tests before we begin using this type of medication?  Any additional information you could provide would be so appreciated.  Thanks so much for taking the time to reply.  



Thank you, thank you!



Jennifer

by PAJ, Sep 18, 2003 12:00AM
Jennifer, it’s a privilege to help your son.  If your anything like me information overload is a problem especially at first with all the new information . You need to get the principles of what’s happening . In order to gain the overall picture we need to look at different but related problems . On the question of the DAN protocol read this very important article



http://www.mercola.com/2003/sep/13/inflammatory_bowel_disease.htm



it gives an insight & puts into context diet .Your sons doctors are swatting symptoms! Diet is a common sense step but it,s only the beginning .fungal antibiotics are an essential  part of the treatment protocol. The drugs & dosage must be carefully worked out hopefully you may get the help & support of your doctor.

The drug protocol is based on Dr Crantons ,Triple drug therapy ,with modifications . Information on body weight to drug ratio is available , I’ll need to dig it out .i’ll get back to you.  





It’s interesting that your son developed sinus infections ,the cause is now acknowledged as fungal based .





Mayo Clinic researchers have proposed that most chronic sinus infections may

be caused by an immune system response to fungi.



* Article in Mayo  

Clinic Proceedings



* News   release

about this research



Many studies here at the Mayo Clinic have added evidence to our thinking

that chronic rhinosinusitis is caused by an immune reaction