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Hair Cortisol Concentrations in Opioid-Exposed versus Nonexposed Mother-Infant Dyads
Tierney M Morrison1, Davida M Schiff2, Abigael Olson3
1Department of Newborn Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.
American Journal of Perinatology
|December 31, 2023
Summary
Hair cortisol concentration (HCC) in pregnant women with opioid use disorder and their infants was piloted. Infant HCCs increased significantly postpartum in the opioid-exposed group, suggesting potential as a chronic stress biomarker.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Psychiatry
- Neonatology
Background:
- Maternal stress significantly impacts fetal and child health.
- Pregnant women with opioid use disorder face numerous stressors.
- Hair cortisol concentration (HCC) is a potential biomarker for chronic stress.
Purpose of the Study:
- To pilot the measurement of HCC in pregnant women with opioid use disorder and their infants.
- To assess the utility of HCC as a biomarker for chronic stress in this population.
- To examine changes in HCC over time in mother-infant dyads with prenatal opioid exposure.
Main Methods:
- Pilot prospective cohort study of mother-infant dyads.
- Comparison between dyads with and without prenatal opioid exposure.
- Collection of maternal and infant HCCs at delivery and 1-3 months postpartum.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in maternal or infant HCCs between opioid-exposed and control groups at either time point.
- Significant increase in infant HCCs within the opioid-exposed group from delivery to postpartum.
- Demonstrated feasibility of HCC measurement in opioid-exposed mother-infant dyads.
Conclusions:
- This pilot study successfully measured HCC in opioid-exposed mother-infant dyads.
- Findings suggest hair cortisol may serve as a useful biomarker for chronic stress in this population.
- Further research is warranted to validate HCC as a stress biomarker in pregnant women with opioid use disorder and their infants.
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