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Effects of prenatal opioid exposure on infant sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system activity

Alexandra R Tabachnick1, Rina Das Eiden2, Madelyn H Labella3

  • 1Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Psychophysiology
|October 27, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Prenatal opioid exposure impacts infant autonomic nervous system (ANS) function at six months. Opioid agonist therapy (OAT) and other opioids show unique effects on ANS regulation, influencing stress response development.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Prenatal opioid exposure is linked to infant developmental issues, including autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysregulation.
  • Limited research exists on long-term ANS effects beyond early infancy, considering both sympathetic and parasympathetic branches, and co-exposures.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of prenatal opioid agonist therapy (OAT) and other opioid exposures on infant ANS activity.
  • To assess ANS responses at rest and during a social stressor (Still-Face Paradigm) at six months of age.

Main Methods:

  • Studied 86 infants with varying prenatal opioid and substance exposures.
  • Measured infant autonomic nervous system activity using physiological markers.
  • Utilized the Still-Face Paradigm to elicit a social stress response.

Main Results:

  • Prenatal exposure to OAT and other opioids demonstrated distinct impacts on infant ANS activity.
  • Effects varied based on opioid subtype (methadone vs. buprenorphine) and gestational timing.
  • Observed differences in ANS regulation at rest and during the social stressor.

Conclusions:

  • Prenatal opioid exposure has lasting, specific effects on infant autonomic nervous system development.
  • Understanding these effects is crucial for addressing developmental challenges in affected infants.
  • Findings inform models of the developing infant stress response system.

Keywords:
autonomic nervous systemimpedance cardiographyinfantopioid exposurerespiratory sinus arrhythmia

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