Brief report:effects of sensory sensitivity and intolerance of uncertainty on anxiety in mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder

This study examined the relations between anxiety and individual characteristics of sensory sensitivity (SS) and intolerance of uncertainty (IU) in mothers of children with ASD. The mothers of 50 children completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Highly Sensitive Person Scale and the IU Scale. Anxiety was associated with both SS and IU and IU was also associated with SS. Mediation analyses showed direct effects between anxiety and both IU and SS but a significant indirect effect was found only in the model in which IU mediated between SS. This is the first study to characterize the nature of the IU and SS interrelation in predicting levels of anxiety

Effects of Breast Milk Feedings versus Formula Feedings on Health and Developmental Outcomes in Preterm Infants: Systematic Literature Review

Background: Gestation is the period of time between conception and birth. Infants being born between 20 and 37 weeks before completion of pregnancy are considered preterm. Infants who are born preterm are at risk for an abundance of acute and long-term complications related to health and development. Some of these include necrotizing enterocolitis, lack of lung surfactant, feeding intolerance, and infection. Since preterm infants are more prone to contract infections due to their underdeveloped immune systems, there has long been a debate whether mother’s breast milk versus formula milk is more beneficial in the growth and development of the preterm infant. The purpose of this project was to explore the health and development outcomes in breastfed babies versus formula fed babies. Purpose: The purpose of this systematic literature review is to determine the benefits of breastfeeding on a preterm infant’s development and health compared to formula feeding. Methodology: Studies have been systematically reviewed using the John Hopkins Evidence-Based Practice Model. Databases used include MEDLINE Complete, PubMed, CINAHL, and Complementary Index. Keywords used to facilitate our search include preterm infants, breastfeeding, breast milk, formula feeding, development, and growth. A PRISMA Flow Diagram summarizes our systematic research screening process based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. Twenty articles were appraised for evidence and quality levels before analysis of results. Results: Preliminary results suggest that breastfeeding supplies infants with the most benefits for their development and their health. Final analysis will be shared at the Symposium