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Examining the association between prenatal maternal stress and infant non-nutritive suck

Emily Zimmerman1, Andréa Aguiar2,3, Max T Aung4

  • 1Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA. e.zimmerman@northeastern.edu.

Pediatric Research
|December 17, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Prenatal maternal stress (PREMS) was linked to infant non-nutritive suck (NNS) patterns in diverse populations. Higher stress correlated with fewer, longer NNS bursts, suggesting NNS as an early indicator for intervention.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Neuroscience
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Prenatal maternal stress (PREMS) is a significant factor influencing fetal development.
  • Infant non-nutritive suck (NNS) is an early indicator of central nervous system (CNS) integrity.
  • Understanding the link between PREMS and NNS can inform early detection of developmental issues.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the association between prenatal maternal stress and infant non-nutritive suck.
  • To test the robustness of this association across two demographically diverse populations.
  • To explore the potential of NNS as a biomarker for prenatal stress exposure.

Main Methods:

  • Two prospective birth cohorts from the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program were utilized.
  • Prenatal maternal stress (PREMS) was assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) in late pregnancy.
  • Non-nutritive suck (NNS) patterns were recorded in 1- to 8-week-old infants using a custom pacifier.

Main Results:

  • A total of 237 mother-infant dyads completed the study.
  • Despite demographic and PREMS level differences between cohorts, significant PREMS-NNS associations were observed.
  • Higher PREMS scores were associated with fewer but longer NNS bursts per minute in infants.

Conclusions:

  • A significant association exists between prenatal maternal stress and infant non-nutritive suck across diverse populations.
  • This finding may facilitate earlier detection of exposure-related deficits and prompt timely interventions.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the neurofunctional implications of NNS in relation to prenatal stress.
Abstract

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