Prenatal cocaine exposure and infant cortisol reactivity.
This study examined the effects of prenatal cocaine exposure on infant hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity and reactivity at 7 months of infant age. Participants were 168 caregiver-infant dyads (87 cocaine exposed, 81 not cocaine exposed; 47% boys). Maternal behavior, caregiving instability, and infant growth and behavior were assessed, and children's saliva was sampled before, during, and after standardized procedures designed to elicit emotional arousal. Results revealed cocaine-exposed infants had a high amplitude trajectory of cortisol reactivity compared to non-cocaine-exposed infants. Infant gender and caregiving instability moderated this association. The findings support a dual hazard vulnerability model and have implications for evolutionary-developmental theories of individual differences in biological sensitivity to context.
Eiden
Rina D
RD
University at Buffalo, State University of New York, USA. eiden@ria.buffalo.edu
Veira
Yvette
Y
Granger
Douglas A
DA
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002657:Child Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D003042:Cocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism*; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects
D003042:Cocaine; D006854:Hydrocortisone