Nursing personality and features in children with autism spectrum disorder aged 0–2: an exploratory case-control study

ABSTRACT

Aim

Although studies have investigated relationships between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and breastfeeding duration, information concerning these children’s nursing styles is limited. This study investigated nursing personality and features and ASD.

Method

One hundred forty-one children aged 24–72 months diagnosed with ASD and 128 healthy children were included. Information concerning the family’s sociodemographic characteristics and the child’s developmental stages was obtained through forms prepared by the authors and from hospital records. The Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) was used to determine symptom severity in ASD. Development levels of children with ASD were determined using the Denver Developmental Screening Test 2nd Edition (DDST II).

Results

Mothers of children with ASD reported higher rates of unintended pregnancies (p = 0.029) [2.380*(1.093–5.182)]. Children with ASD exhibited less nursing strike (NS) behavior (p = 0.042) [0.388(0.156–0.967)] and less eye contact during breastfeeding (ECDB) (p = 0.009) [2.300(1.236–4.282)]. NS reduced the risk of ASD 2.6-fold, while absence of ECDB increased the risk 2.3-fold, and unintended pregnancy increased the risk 2.4-fold. Higher CARS scores were determined in children with ASD with vaginal delivery histories (p = 0.041) and histories of incubation (p = 0.025). Lack of ECDB was associated with decreased social and gross motor scores at DDST-II (p = 0.005).

Conclusion

Babies with ASD began breastfeeding at least as early as typically developing peers and for similar lengths of time. However, babies with ASD exhibited less NS behavior and less eye contact during breastfeeding. Babies with ASD perceive no emotional cues even in the first months, and may therefore not exhibit NS behavior.

KEYWORDS:

• Autism spectrum disorder
• Child
• Breastfeeding
• Maternal milk
• Exclusive breastfeeding
• Environment
• Risk factors
• Nursing

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Tayfun Kara

Tayfun Kara is an associate professor at the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University in Turkey, where he has served since 2018, and is currently the head of the department. Assoc. Prof. Kara completed his medical training at the Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty, graduating as a medical doctor in 2006. Between 2009 and 2014, he continued his studies at the Istanbul University Medical Faculty Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and started working as a consultant in 2014. Between 2014 and 2018, he worked as a consultant at the Istanbul Bakırköy Training and Research Hospital. He has previously published scientific studies on autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, mood disorders, and anxiety disorders in children and adolescents. Assoc. Prof. Kara has worked extensively in the field of consultation-liaison psychiatry. He has received various awards, and his work has attracted numerous citations. He is currently continuing his scientific research, as well as teaching medical students.

Ömer Alpgan

Ömer Alpgan is a child developmentist at the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Bakırköy Dr Sadi Konuk Education and Research Hospital in Turkey, where he has served since 2015. He was graduated from Kırıkkale University Child Development undergraduate program in 2015. He received his expertise from Okan University Child Development and Education master’s program between 2016–2018. He has worked extensively in the field of developmental assessment of children aged 0–6. He works with children with autism spectrum disorder, developmental disabilities and language and speech delay. At the same time, he actively conducts academic studies with these groups.