title: Cortisol levels in relation to maternal interaction and child internalizing behavior in preterm and full-term children at 18 months corrected age.
abstract: Cortisol levels were compared in children born preterm at extremely low gestational age (ELGA; 24-28 weeks), very low gestational age (VGLA; 29-32 weeks), and full-term in response to cognitive assessment at 18 months corrected age (CA). Further, we investigated the relationship between maternal interactive behaviors and child internalizing behaviors (rated by the mother) in relation to child cortisol levels. EGLA children had higher "pretest" cortisol levels and a different pattern of cortisol response to cognitive assessment compared to VGLA and full-terms. Higher cortisol levels in ELGA, but not full-term, children were associated with less optimal mother interactive behavior. Moreover, the pattern of cortisol change was related to internalizing behaviors among ELGA, and to a lesser degree VLGA children. In conclusion, our findings suggest altered programming of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in preterm children, as well as their greater sensitivity to environmental context such as maternal interactive behavior.
authors.affiliation: Developmental Neurosciences & Child Health, Child & Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, L408-4480 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6H3V4.
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brummelte
authors.forename: Ruth E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Grunau
authors.forename: Anat
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zaidman-Zait
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Weinberg
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nordstokke
authors.forename: Ivan L
authors.initials: IL
authors.lastname: Cepeda
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001007:Anxiety / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology*; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D003863:Depression / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000502:physiology; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008297:Male; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000502:physiology; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D006854:Hydrocortisone