Prenatal Maternal Cortisol and Infant Growth
Faculty Mentor Information
Nicki Aubuchon-Endsley
Abstract
Fetal and infant growth affects adult cardiometabolic disease risk and is related to in utero exposure to stress hormones, namely cortisol. Because 10-20% of maternal cortisol crosses the placenta, elevations negatively affect offspring (e.g., intrauterine growth restriction, preterm birth and low birth weight). However, studies are needed to examine cortisol in relation to longer-term offspring growth outcomes.
Therefore, we examined relations among maternal cortisol awakening response and diurnal area under the curve and standardized infant anthropometric measures (i.e., length-for-age, weight-for-age, weight-for-length, and body mass index-for-age) at birth, 6 months, and change from birth to 6 months. At 33-37 weeks gestation, participants (n=70) completed 4 saliva samples/day (i.e., at awakening, 30 minutes post-awakening, 45 minutes post- awakening, and before nightly sleep) for 3 days. Samples were assayed utilizing ELISA kits. Mothers and infants returned at 6 months postpartum. Mothers reported infant’s birth weight and length and measurements of 6-month weight and length were taken with a ShorrBoard (±0.1cm) and Seca mother-infant scale (±100g), respectively. Raw scores were converted to z-scores utilizing the WHO Child Growth Standards. No relations were statistically significant. Future studies should explore larger samples with greater heterogeneity in maternal/infant risk, while considering multiple risk and resiliency factors.
Prenatal Maternal Cortisol and Infant Growth
Fetal and infant growth affects adult cardiometabolic disease risk and is related to in utero exposure to stress hormones, namely cortisol. Because 10-20% of maternal cortisol crosses the placenta, elevations negatively affect offspring (e.g., intrauterine growth restriction, preterm birth and low birth weight). However, studies are needed to examine cortisol in relation to longer-term offspring growth outcomes.
Therefore, we examined relations among maternal cortisol awakening response and diurnal area under the curve and standardized infant anthropometric measures (i.e., length-for-age, weight-for-age, weight-for-length, and body mass index-for-age) at birth, 6 months, and change from birth to 6 months. At 33-37 weeks gestation, participants (n=70) completed 4 saliva samples/day (i.e., at awakening, 30 minutes post-awakening, 45 minutes post- awakening, and before nightly sleep) for 3 days. Samples were assayed utilizing ELISA kits. Mothers and infants returned at 6 months postpartum. Mothers reported infant’s birth weight and length and measurements of 6-month weight and length were taken with a ShorrBoard (±0.1cm) and Seca mother-infant scale (±100g), respectively. Raw scores were converted to z-scores utilizing the WHO Child Growth Standards. No relations were statistically significant. Future studies should explore larger samples with greater heterogeneity in maternal/infant risk, while considering multiple risk and resiliency factors.