Christine McGuinness's son became 'seriously underweight' due to food sensitivity

Christine McGuinness has revealed that her eight-year-old son Leo became "seriously underweight" due to his sensitivity around certain foods.

All three of McGuinness's children — as well as the star herself — have been diagnosed with autism and she told the Daily Mail this can present problems when it comes to food.

Read more: Christine McGuinness talks about possible genetic link around autism

The 34-year-old said she and comedian husband Paddy McGuinness even had a "heart-breaking" conversation about having a peg — a type of feeding tube — put into Leo's stomach.

"Everything is trial and error, and we had a discussion with our doctors over Leo, so ours are all really over sensitive with food – the taste, the smell, the texture," said McGuinness.

Watch: McGuinness trying to be "a bit more myself" after autism diagnosis

She added: "We had vomit after vomit for years. It felt like we'd feed them and then we'd clean it up, to the point where Leo was seriously underweight and it was affecting his health."

The youngster's constant vomiting and difficulties with food meant that he wasn't getting the right amount of vitamins to remain healthy.

Read more: Christine McGuinness says daughter developed stutter in lockdown

McGuinness said they were fortunate that the situation improved before they needed to take drastic action with a feeding tube.

"Even now they still eat very limited, but they eat enough, and [Leo] has vitamins and milk shakes to help him get everything he needs," the star said.

McGuinness and her husband fronted the documentary Paddy and Christine McGuinness: Our Family and Autism last year, in which they opened up about the challenges of navigating the condition.

Leo and his twin sister Penelope have both been diagnosed with autism, as well as the couple's youngest daughter — six-year-old Felicity.

Read more: Christine McGuinness injured herself trying Dirty Dancing lift

Paddy has spoken about the need for more education around autism, recounting one incident in which he had to explain why his family was entitled to a disabled parking space.

He said: "I took a deep breath and explained it to him, and I think that was the right thing to do. Because if I'd gone mad and shouted – he'd have gone away upset, I'd have gone away upset, no one would have got on with it.

"I think things like that are important – to educate people."

Watch: Trailer for McGuinness family's autism documentary