Related Experiment Videos
Patterns of cortisol reactivity in African-American neonates from low-income environments
Kate Keenan1, Dana Gunthorpe, Desia Young
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
Insights
This study explored salivary cortisol reactivity in African-American neonates, finding individual differences and stability in stress responses. Pre-stressor cortisol levels influenced reactivity patterns across different stimuli.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Endocrinology
- Neonatal Health
Background:
- Understanding individual differences in stress response is crucial for early development.
- Salivary cortisol is a key biomarker for physiological stress in neonates.
- Limited research exists on cortisol reactivity patterns in low-income African-American infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine individual differences and stability in salivary cortisol reactivity patterns.
- To investigate cortisol reactivity to two distinct stressors: Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS) and heel-stick procedure.
- To explore the association between prestressor cortisol levels and reactivity patterns.
Main Methods:
- Salivary cortisol was measured in 100 African-American neonates from low-income environments.
- Reactivity patterns were defined by changes in cortisol from pre-stressor to post-stressor and during recovery.
- Cortisol levels were assessed in response to the NBAS and heel-stick procedures.
Main Results:
- Cortisol concentrations showed significant changes across three time points (pre-stressor, post-stressor, recovery).
- The magnitude of cortisol change during recovery differed between the NBAS and heel-stick stressors.
- Pre-stressor cortisol values were significantly associated with subsequent cortisol reactivity patterns within individuals.
Conclusions:
- Individual differences in salivary cortisol reactivity are present in neonates.
- Cortisol reactivity patterns exhibit stability within individuals across different stressors.
- Pre-stressor cortisol levels are an important factor in understanding neonatal stress responses.
Abstract:
Individual differences and stability in patterns of salivary cortisol reactivity were examined in 100 African-American neonates from low-income environments. A pattern of reactivity was defined by the change from prestressor to poststressor cortisol concentrations and the change following the poststressor during a recovery phase. Cortisol reactivity was measured in response to two stressors: the Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS; T. B. Brazelton & J. K. Nugent) and the routine hospital heels-tick procedure. The use of two stressors allowed an examination of whether patterns of reactivity to different stimuli vary and whether there is individual stability in patterns of cortisol reactivity. Cortisol concentrations changed significantly across the three time points. The magnitude of change during the recovery period differed across stressors. Prestressor cortisol values were associated with cortisol reactivity. Both prestressor cortisol concentrations and pattern of cortisol response were significantly associated within individuals.