Developmental change in infant cortisol and behavioral response to inoculation.
Infant cortisol and behavioral responses to receiving 1 versus 2 inoculations on 1 pediatric office visit were observed at 2 and 6 months of age. Cortisol level (pre- plus postinoculation level) decreased with age, whereas cortisol response (post- minus preinoculation level) did not vary with age when the data were aggregated over infants showing a pre- to postinoculation cortisol increase and those showing a decrease. Nonetheless, for those infants who showed a cortisol increase, cortisol level and response decreased with age. Infants quieted faster at the older age. There was a moderate relation between quieting behavior and cortisol response, at least for infants who showed a pre- to postinoculation cortisol increase. These findings indicate a developmental trend for a decline over age in adrenocortical reactivity to inoculation for infants showing a cortisol release following the perturbation. Results were comparable whether infants received 1 or 2 inoculations.
Ramsay
D S
DS
Institute for the Study of Child Development, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Brunswick 08903-0019.
Lewis
M
M
D015721:Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis Vaccine / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000032:analysis*; D007223:Infant; D018730:Infant Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology; D014611:Vaccination
D015721:Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis Vaccine; D006854:Hydrocortisone