title: Physiologic and behavioral responses to stress, temperament, and incidence of infection and atopic disorders in the first year of life: a pilot study.
abstract: The purpose of this pilot study was to explore relationships among physiologic and behavioral responses to a standardized stressor (routine immunization), parent-reported temperament, and numbers of infections and atopic disorders in the first year of life. Infants were studied during 2- (n = 30) and 4-month (n = 24) routine clinic visits. Behavioral data were coded from videotapes filmed for 90 seconds after immunizations. Salivary cortisol measured physiologic arousal; specimens were obtained before and after immunizations. Two-month-old infants with higher levels of cortisol required more time to calm after immunization. Relationships were found between the temperament characteristics of persistence and adaptability and infections at 12 months.
authors.affiliation: University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing, Omaha, NE 68198-5330, USA.
authors.forename: Margaret E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: Mary Erickson
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Megel
authors.forename: Anne Marie
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Fredrichs
authors.forename: Paulette
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: McLaughlin
mesh_terms: D015984:Causality; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000032:analysis; D007114:Immunization / Q000523:psychology; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D018730:Infant Behavior / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D007239:Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D013694:Temperament
chemical_list: D006854:Hydrocortisone