The association between prenatal cocaine exposure and physiological regulation at 13 months of age.
BACKGROUND
This study examined the association between prenatal cocaine exposure (PCE) and autonomic regulation at 13 months of age.


METHODS
Measures of respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) were obtained from 156 (79 exposed, and 77 nonexposed) infants during baseline and during tasks designed to elicit positive (PA) and negative affect (NA).


RESULTS
There was a significant suppression of RSA during the negative affect task for nonexposed infants but not for exposed infants. Maternal symptoms of depression or anxiety (MDA) did not mediate this association. However, gender and MDA did moderate this association such that exposed boys and exposed infants whose mothers had higher levels of MDA had an increase in RSA during a task designed to elicit NA rather than the typical pattern of RSA suppression.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that there are several possible pathways from PCE to physiological dysregulation during late infancy.
Schuetze
Pamela
P
Department of Psychology, Buffalo State College, 1300 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14222-1095, USA. schuetp@buffalostate.edu
Eiden
Rina D
RD
Danielewicz
Susan
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001146:Arrhythmia, Sinus / Q000503:physiopathology; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000502:physiology*; D003042:Cocaine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D055815:Young Adult
D003042:Cocaine