Effects of prenatal alcohol and cocaine exposure on infant cortisol levels

Area of Science:

• Neuroendocrinology
• Developmental Psychology
• Pediatric Health

Background:

• Prenatal alcohol exposure is linked to altered stress responses in animal models.
• Human studies on prenatal drug exposure and infant cortisol response are limited.
• Previous research indicated depressed newborn cortisol levels following crack/cocaine exposure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of prenatal exposure to alcohol, cocaine, and illicit drugs on cortisol levels in 13-month-old infants.
• To examine the relationship between prenatal substance exposure and the adrenocortical response to stress.
• To explore factors such as maternal depression and teething influencing infant cortisol levels.

Main Methods:

• Saliva samples collected before and after a blood draw from 83 inner-city African American infants.
• Infants had a history of prenatal exposure to alcohol, cocaine, or other illicit drugs.
• Cortisol levels were analyzed to assess basal and post-stress responses.

Main Results:

• Many infants showed adapted adrenocortical responses, with post-blood draw cortisol levels not differing from basal levels.
• Maternal depression and emergence of teeth were positively correlated with cortisol levels.
• Prenatal alcohol exposure was associated with elevated basal cortisol levels; cocaine exposure was linked to lower basal levels.
• Heavy prenatal alcohol exposure predicted elevated post-stress cortisol levels.

Conclusions:

• The infant adrenocortical stress response may adapt to repeated stressors by 13 months of age.
• Prenatal alcohol and cocaine exposure have differential effects on infant basal and stress-related cortisol levels.
• Maternal and developmental factors can modulate the infant cortisol response.