Exploring the relationship between child temperament, maternal psychiatric symptoms, family environment and infant feeding.

Objectives: Infant temperament is assumed to be primarily innate. However, newer research suggests that maternal affection impacts ratings of temperament and environmental factors, including feeding method, can also influence infant temperament. This study investigates child temperament and its relationships with maternal psychiatric symptoms, environmental variables and feeding method longitudinally in a cohort of children followed from 6 to 72 months.

The Impact of Excessive Weight on Breastfeeding Intention, Initiation, and Duration.

Breastfeeding is widely recognized as the optimal feeding method for infants. However, breastfeeding goals are often unmet, especially in mothers with excessive weight. Potential factors associated with unmet goals could be disparities in care for women with higher body mass index (BMI) or mental health symptomology.

Associations between mother's depressive symptoms during pregnancy and newborn's brain functional connectivity.

Depression during pregnancy is common and the prevalence further increased during the COVID pandemic. Recent findings have shown potential impact of antenatal depression on children's neurodevelopment and behavior, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Nor is it clear whether mild depressive symptoms among pregnant women would impact the developing brain.

Association between maternal and infant screen time with child growth and development: A longitudinal study.

Background: Sedentary screen time is an early, modifiable risk factor for obesity and poor child development.

Objectives: To examine the relationship between maternal and infant screen time with child growth and development.

Methods: Pregnant women were recruited for a cohort study related to maternal and infant development.

Associations between Cortical Asymmetry and Domain Specific Cognitive Functions in Healthy Children.

Cortical asymmetry and functional lateralization form intriguing and fundamental features of human brain organization, and is complicated by individual differences and evolvement with age. While many studies have investigated neuroanatomical differences between hemispheres as well as functional lateralization of the brain for different age groups, few have looked into the associations between cortical asymmetry and development of cognitive functions in children. In this study, we aimed to identify relationships between hemispheric asymmetry in brain cortex measured by MRI and cognitive development in healthy young children evaluated by a comprehensive battery of neuropsychological tests.

Early infant feeding effect on growth and body composition during the first 6 years and neurodevelopment at age 72 months.

Background: This study longitudinally characterized the developmental status, growth, and body composition of children who were fed human milk (breastfed, BF), cow's milk-based (MF), or soy protein-based (SF) infant formula from 3 to 12 months.

Methods: Standardized anthropometrics and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry were used to characterize growth and body composition at 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, and 72 months (NCT00616395). Preschool Language Scale-3, Children's Memory Scale Index (CMS), and Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence were administered at age 72 months.

Developmental assessments during the first 5 years of life in infants fed breast milk, cow's milk formula, or soy formula.

Objective: To investigate the effects of infant feeding mode on childhood cognition and language as the differential effects of infant feeding on development remain understudied.

Methods: Breastfed [BF, 174], cow's milk-based formula-fed [MF, 169], or soy protein-based formula-fed [SF, 161] children were longitudinally tested from age 3 to 60 months for neurodevelopment. Data were analyzed using mixed models while adjusting for multiple covariates.

Developmental functioning and medical Co-morbidity profile of children with complex and essential autism.

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) may be characterized as "complex" (those with microcephaly and/or dysmorphology) or "essential" (those with neither of these two). Previous studies found subjects in the complex group exhibited lower IQ scores, poorer response to behavioral intervention, more seizures and more abnormal EEGs and brain MRIs compared to the essential group. The objective of this study was to determine if there are differences in complex versus essential subjects based on several developmental/psychological measures as well as certain medical comorbidities.

Diabetes Control and Adherence in Adolescence.

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic disease that can lead to severe complications if poorly controlled. Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to worsening diabetes control due to changes in physiology, family dynamics, and social interactions. Good diabetes control requires following a regimen of frequent blood glucose checks, accurate carbohydrate counts, and compliance with insulin administration.

Autism Speaks Toolkits: Resources for Busy Physicians.

Given the increased prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD), it is likely that busy primary care providers (PCP) are providing care to individuals with ASD in their practice. Autism Speaks provides a wealth of educational, medical, and treatment/intervention information resources for PCPs and families, including at least 32 toolkits. This article serves to familiarize PCPs and families on the different toolkits that are available on the Autism Speaks website.

Treatment for Sleep Problems in Children with Autism and Caregiver Spillover Effects.

Sleep problems in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are under-recognized and under-treated. Identifying treatment value accounting for health effects on family members (spillovers) could improve the perceived cost-effectiveness of interventions to improve child sleep habits. A prospective cohort study (N = 224) was conducted with registry and postal survey data completed by the primary caregiver.

Predicting health utilities for children with autism spectrum disorders.

Comparative effectiveness of interventions for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) that incorporates costs is lacking due to the scarcity of information on health utility scores or preference-weighted outcomes typically used for calculating quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). This study created algorithms for mapping clinical and behavioral measures for children with ASDs to health utility scores. The algorithms could be useful for estimating the value of different interventions and treatments used in the care of children with ASDs.

The Autism Impact Measure (AIM): initial development of a new tool for treatment outcome measurement.

The current study describes the development and psychometric properties of a new measure targeting sensitivity to change of core autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptoms, the Autism Impact Measure (AIM). The AIM uses a 2-week recall period with items rated on two corresponding 5-point scales (frequency and impact). Psychometric properties were examined using a large sample (n = 440) of children with ASD enrolled in the Autism Treatment Network.

An informal survey on family/caregiver wishes for individuals with autism in Arkansas.

Families/caregivers of children with ASD experience problems and disparities in healthcare and service delivery first hand. As a result, they can provide valuable input in the development of a system that best meets the needs of these children. Results from an informal, open response survey completed by participants of the 2011 Autism Speaks Walk in Little Rock most commonly identified the need for better quality educational/interventional services and the need to develop or transform community assets to be more knowledgeable and supportive of individuals with autism as major gaps in the system of care for their children.

Preference-based health-related quality-of-life outcomes in children with autism spectrum disorders: a comparison of generic instruments.

Background: Cost-effectiveness analysis of pharmaceutical and other treatments for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) has the potential to improve access to services by demonstrating the value of treatment to public and private payers, but methods for measuring QALYs in children are under-studied. No cost-effectiveness analyses have been undertaken in this population using the cost-per-QALY metric.

Objective: This study describes health-related quality-of-life (HR-QOL) outcomes in children with ASDs and compares the sensitivity of two generic preference-based instruments relative to ASD-related conditions and symptoms.

Developmental status of 1-year-old infants fed breast milk, cow's milk formula, or soy formula.

Background And Objective: Although soy formula has been reported to support normal development, concerns exist regarding potential adverse developmental effects of phytochemicals associated with soy protein. This study characterized developmental status (mental, motor, and language) of breastfed (BF), milk-based formula-fed (MF), or soy protein-based formula-fed (SF) infants during the first year of life.

Methods: Healthy infants (N = 391) were assessed longitudinally at ages 3, 6, 9, and 12 months.

Metabolic imbalance associated with methylation dysregulation and oxidative damage in children with autism.

Oxidative stress and abnormal DNA methylation have been implicated in the pathophysiology of autism. We investigated the dynamics of an integrated metabolic pathway essential for cellular antioxidant and methylation capacity in 68 children with autism, 54 age-matched control children and 40 unaffected siblings. The metabolic profile of unaffected siblings differed significantly from case siblings but not from controls.

Part 2: Components of a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation for autism spectrum disorders.

Part two in this series will discuss the American Academy of Pediatrics suggestions for the components of a comprehensive autism assessment. A better understanding about the critical components of a comprehensive assessment for ASD can help the PCP be an informed consumer of the information provided in report(s) from the referral source. This information also helps the PCP have a better understanding of what additional evaluations might be needed to provide a complete clinical picture of the child.

Helping the student with Asperger's Disorder with social and behavioral issues in the school: nursing, psychology, and educators working in unison.

School Health provides a forum to discuss policy, practice, research, issues and trends, and pearls of wisdom to enhance the day-to-day care of children in the school setting, from day care to high school.

The school nurse's role in treatment of the student with autism spectrum disorders.

Purpose: Some healthcare concerns have been found to be commonly associated with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Identification and treatment of these medical issues can improve the functioning of the child with ASD. This article will offer practical suggestions for the school nurse.