Fetal exposure to synthetic oxytocin and the relationship with prefeeding cues within one hour postbirth.
BACKGROUND
Prefeeding cues are oral-motor neurobehaviors that communicate feeding readiness, and the ability to self-comfort and regulate behavioral state. Intrapartum and newborn procedures have been associated with altered frequency and emergence of prefeeding cues soon after birth. Intrapartum synthetic oxytocin is commonly used for labor induction/augmentation in the US, yet there is little research on potential effects on infant neurobehavioral cues.


OBJECTIVE
To explore whether fetal exposure to synthetic oxytocin was associated with the infant's level of prefeeding organization shortly after birth.


METHODS
Cohort.


METHODS
A convenience sample of 47 healthy full-term infants (36 exposed and 11 unexposed to intrapartum synthetic oxytocin) was studied.


METHODS
Fetal distress, vacuum/forceps, cesarean, and low Apgar.


METHODS
Videotapes of infants (45-50min postbirth) were coded for frequency of eight prefeeding cues, and analyzed by level of prefeeding organization.


RESULTS
In general, fewer prefeeding cues were observed in infants exposed versus unexposed to synOT and differences were significant for brief and sustained hand to mouth cues [incidence rate ratio (95% CI)=0.6 (0.4, 0.9) and 0.5 (0.2, 0.9), respectively]. Forty-four percent of exposed infants demonstrated a low level of prefeeding organization, compared to 0% from the unexposed group. In contrast, 25% of exposed versus 64% of unexposed infants demonstrated high prefeeding organization. After adjusting for covariates, exposed infants were at 11.5 times (95% CI=1.8-73.3) the odds of demonstrating low/medium versus high levels of prefeeding organization compared to unexposed infants.


CONCLUSIONS
Newborn neurobehavioral cues may be sensitive to intrapartum synthetic oxytocin.
Department of Women, Children, and Family Health Science, University of Illinois at Chicago, 845 South Damen Ave., m/c 802, Chicago, IL 60612, United States. abell2@uic.edu
Aleeca F
AF
Bell
Rosemary
R
White-Traut
Kristin
K
Rankin
D015331:Cohort Studies; D003463:Cues; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000633:toxicity*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014741:Video Recording
D010121:Oxytocin