In utero exposure to terbutaline: effects on infant behavior and maternal self-esteem

Little is known about correlates of infant behavior after tocolytic intervention. This study investigated three related questions: (a) Are there any behavioral differences in infants exposed in utero to terbutaline and infants not exposed? (b) Is the mother's perception of her infant influenced by group status? (c) Is maternal self-esteem influenced by group status?

Group comparison over time of infants exposed in utero to terbutaline and infants not exposed. Group mean cluster scores and recovery curves were compared. Mothers' responses to a series of questionnaires were compared according to group status. The first author remained blind to group status until all measures were completed on all participants.

Recruitment and first administration of the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale occurred in two regional hospitals, at Minneapolis and St. Paul. Subsequent administrations took place in the infants' homes.

Forty-eight healthy, full-term (> or = 37 weeks gestational age) neonates and their mothers, 16 of whom had been given terbutaline, and 32 control subjects.

Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale was administered three times to each neonate. Mothers completed the Infant Characteristics Questionnaires, the Neonatal Perception Inventories, and the Maternal Self-Report Inventory.

Significant differences were found between the two groups of infants on the habituation cluster at Time 1 and the autonomic stability cluster at Time 1 and Time 2. No significant group differences were found in the mothers' responses to the questionnaires.

Nurses can assure parents that neonates exposed to terbutaline, although they may exhibit initial difficulties with behavioral organization, recover well over the course of the neonatal period. In addition, nurses can help mothers discover methods that will help calm their newborns.