Microbiota dysbiosis and irritability

Gut microbiota dysbiosis is a disturbance of the normal composition of the gut microbial flora. In itself this is "not a diagnosis in ICD-10" in the strict sense, but in practice dysbiosis is one of the key backgrounds against which children develop GI problems (constipation, diarrhea, bloating, food intolerance), emotional instability, and behavioral problems. In children with ASD, dysbiosis is significantly more frequent than the population average and through the gut-brain axis it sustains irritability, sleep disturbances, and behavioral problems: serotonin and dopamine (the key neurotransmitters of emotion and regulation) are synthesized predominantly in the gut, and the state of the microbiota directly affects the emotional picture.

At H&B Neurolife International Rehabilitation Center (Shangrao), work with the microbiota is one of the center's strengths and part of our proprietary ASD rehabilitation methodology. Precision microbiota testing is the key tool: the composition of the microbial flora is analyzed, key imbalances are identified, and on that basis personalized probiotics and an individual diet are prescribed. This is considerably more effective than "one-size-fits-all" pharmacy probiotics - some probiotics may not suit a child and can even make the picture worse, and without testing you simply cannot see this. In parallel we run dietary therapy and nutritional intervention, restoration of the intestinal barrier, and regulation of neurotransmitter secretion along the gut-brain axis. TCM methods - pediatric Tui Na, acupuncture, herbal medicine - complement the program.

What parents should know

With systematic work on the microbiota, not only does the GI picture often improve, but the emotional and behavioral background of the child improves as well - especially in children with ASD, emotional instability, irritability, or sleep disturbances. For this reason the center considers the microbiota track not a "supplement" to rehabilitation but part of its core. For adult patients with microbiota disorders, see our partner site - microbiota-lab.com.