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Li Y, Huang X, Hu Y, Yang L, Zhang X, Chen Q. Alleviating Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Stress: A Chinese Medicine Approach in Neonatal Rats. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 2024:2733884. [PMID: 38464682 PMCID: PMC10924680 DOI: 10.1155/2024/2733884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Background Premature infants are exposed to numerous stressors in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) during a crucial period for brain development; this period exerts long-term influences on cognitive and behavioral development. Aims To evaluate the effect of NICU-related stress on neonatal rat pups and explore the effect of Chinese medicine treatment (CMT). Methods Sixty male rat pups were randomly assigned to three groups: the control group, the NICU group (NICU-related stress), and the CMT group (NICU-related stress plus CMT). All stressors and interventions were administered from 0 to 7 days after birth. Body weight, serum corticosterone levels, and behavior in the open field (OF) test, elevated plus maze (EPM) test, sucrose preference test, and Morris water maze (MWM) test were recorded, and blood samples were collected at five different time points (T0, T1, T2, T3, and T4). Results The body weights of rats in the CMT and control groups were heavier than those in the NICU group in both early life and adulthood (P < 0.05). Serum corticosterone levels significantly differed with time (except T0 vs. T1 and T3 vs. T4) but did not significantly differ among the three groups (F = 0.441, P = 0.894). Regardless of age, spatial memory and anxiety-like and depression-like behavior did not differ among the three groups. Conclusion NICU-related stress exerted a long-term effect on rat growth and development but did not affect spatial memory, anxiety-like behavior, depression-like behavior, or serum corticosterone levels. CMT alleviated the impact of NICU-related stress on rats and promoted the growth and development of neonatal rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingxin Li
- Department of Neonatology Nursing, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xi Huang
- Department of Neonatology Nursing, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yanlin Hu
- Department of Neonatology Nursing, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Liming Yang
- Department of Neonatology Nursing, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiujuan Zhang
- Department of Neonatology Nursing, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Qiong Chen
- Department of Neonatology Nursing, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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Lis N, Lamnisos D, Bograkou-Tzanetakou A, Hadjimbei E, Tzanetakou IP. Preterm Birth and Its Association with Maternal Diet, and Placental and Neonatal Telomere Length. Nutrients 2023; 15:4975. [PMID: 38068836 PMCID: PMC10708229 DOI: 10.3390/nu15234975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Preterm birth (PTB), a multi-causal syndrome, is one of the global epidemics. Maternal nutrition, but also neonatal and placental telomere length (TL), are among the factors affecting PTB risk. However, the exact relationship between these factors and the PTB outcome, remains obscure. The aim of this review was to investigate the association between PTB, maternal nutrition, and placental-infant TL. Observational studies were sought with the keywords: maternal nutrition, placental TL, newborn, TL, and PTB. No studies were found that included all of the keywords simultaneously, and thus, the keywords were searched in dyads, to reach assumptive conclusions. The findings show that maternal nutrition affects PTB risk, through its influence on maternal TL. On the other hand, maternal TL independently affects PTB risk, and at the same time PTB is a major determinant of offspring TL regulation. The strength of the associations, and the extent of the influence from covariates, remains to be elucidated in future research. Furthermore, the question of whether maternal TL is simply a biomarker of maternal nutritional status and PTB risk, or a causative factor of PTB, to date, remains to be answered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikoletta Lis
- Department of Health Sciences, European University Cyprus, Nicosia 2404, Cyprus; (N.L.); (D.L.)
- Maternity Clinic, Cork University Maternity Hospital, T12 YE02 Cork, Ireland
| | - Demetris Lamnisos
- Department of Health Sciences, European University Cyprus, Nicosia 2404, Cyprus; (N.L.); (D.L.)
| | | | - Elena Hadjimbei
- Department of Life Sciences, European University Cyprus, Nicosia 2404, Cyprus;
| | - Irene P. Tzanetakou
- Department of Life Sciences, European University Cyprus, Nicosia 2404, Cyprus;
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3
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Duff IT, Krolick KN, Mahmoud HM, Chidambaran V. Current Evidence for Biological Biomarkers and Mechanisms Underlying Acute to Chronic Pain Transition across the Pediatric Age Spectrum. J Clin Med 2023; 12:5176. [PMID: 37629218 PMCID: PMC10455285 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12165176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic pain is highly prevalent in the pediatric population. Many factors are involved in the transition from acute to chronic pain. Currently, there are conceptual models proposed, but they lack a mechanistically sound integrated theory considering the stages of child development. Objective biomarkers are critically needed for the diagnosis, risk stratification, and prognosis of the pathological stages of pain chronification. In this article, we summarize the current evidence on mechanisms and biomarkers of acute to chronic pain transitions in infants and children through the developmental lens. The goal is to identify gaps and outline future directions for basic and clinical research toward a developmentally informed theory of pain chronification in the pediatric population. At the outset, the importance of objective biomarkers for chronification of pain in children is outlined, followed by a summary of the current evidence on the mechanisms of acute to chronic pain transition in adults, in order to contrast with the developmental mechanisms of pain chronification in the pediatric population. Evidence is presented to show that chronic pain may have its origin from insults early in life, which prime the child for the development of chronic pain in later life. Furthermore, available genetic, epigenetic, psychophysical, electrophysiological, neuroimaging, neuroimmune, and sex mechanisms are described in infants and older children. In conclusion, future directions are discussed with a focus on research gaps, translational and clinical implications. Utilization of developmental mechanisms framework to inform clinical decision-making and strategies for prevention and management of acute to chronic pain transitions in children, is highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina T. Duff
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA;
| | - Kristen N. Krolick
- Department of Anesthesia, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Cincinnati, OH 45242, USA; (K.N.K.); (H.M.M.)
| | - Hana Mohamed Mahmoud
- Department of Anesthesia, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Cincinnati, OH 45242, USA; (K.N.K.); (H.M.M.)
| | - Vidya Chidambaran
- Department of Anesthesia, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Cincinnati, OH 45242, USA; (K.N.K.); (H.M.M.)
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Erickson SJ, Vaccaro S, Kubinec N, Moss N, Avila-Rieger R, Lowe JR, Tofighi D. Preliminary longitudinal evidence for stability of maternal behavior and infant stress regulation among infants born preterm at 4 and 9 months during the Still Face paradigm. Infant Behav Dev 2022; 68:101745. [PMID: 35760033 DOI: 10.1016/j.infbeh.2022.101745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Stress regulation begins to develop in the first year of life through interactions with caregivers, particularly in the presence of stressors. High quality caregiving, characterized by maternal sensitivity and responsiveness to the infant's emotional cues, is particularly important in the development of infant stress regulation. The purpose of this study was to assess the longitudinal stability of, and associations between, maternal interactive behavior and infant stress regulation (indexed by positive infant affect and cortisol reactivity) in response to the Still Face paradigm (SF) in a cohort of infants born preterm (< 32 weeks gestation, N = 22) at four months and nine months (adjusted age). The percent of time mothers spent using specific interaction styles (contingent maternal interaction (CMI), attention seeking, and watching) during Play/baseline, Reunion#1, and Reunion#2 SF episodes was calculated To assess infant stress regulation, two indices were obtained at both 4 and 9 months during the SF paradigm: the percent of positive affect displayed over each SF episode (0-100%) and a neuroendocrine stress response score based on salivary cortisol reactivity. We found three non-significant but medium-large effect size differences between 4 and 9 month variables, with more positive findings at 9 months. Regarding stability within the 4 month and 9 month episodes, maternal behavior and positive infant affect were non-significantly but moderately stable, with maternal watching behavior being particularly stable. Positive infant affect stability between Reunion#1 and Reunion#2 at 4 months was significantly greater than positive infant affect stability across these two episodes at 9 months. Regarding stability across 4 and 9 month (same) episodes, CMI and positive infant affect showed modest but non-significant stability across (same) 4 and 9 month episodes. Finally, with positive infant affect at Reunion#2 as the "outcome" of the Still Face, CMI at both 4 month Play and Reunion#1 episodes were significantly correlated with this "outcome." Further, positive infant affect at Reunion#2 was more strongly correlated with CMI at both Play and Reunion#1 for 4 month old compared with 9 month old infants. Thus, sensitive care appears particularly important for younger infants born preterm, and mothers' behavior early in a repeated stress exposure paradigm may be particularly important in maintaining positive infant affect and in the development of infants' stress regulation more generally. Identifying the longer-term effects of early stress on infant stress regulation, and its relationship with maternal interaction, has important implications for understanding trajectories of regulatory patterns and deficits. A greater understanding of these relationships is particularly important given that greater emotion and neuroendocrine stress regulation in infancy have been directly associated with numerous positive outcomes throughout childhood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah J Erickson
- Department of Psychology, Logan Hall 1 University of New Mexico, MSC03 2220, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA.
| | - Suzanne Vaccaro
- Department of Psychology, Logan Hall 1 University of New Mexico, MSC03 2220, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | | | | | | | - Jean R Lowe
- Department of Pediatrics, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Davood Tofighi
- Department of Psychology, Logan Hall 1 University of New Mexico, MSC03 2220, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
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Mariani Wigley ILC, Mascheroni E, Bonichini S, Montirosso R. Epigenetic protection: maternal touch and DNA-methylation in early life. Curr Opin Behav Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cobeha.2021.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
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Multi-level hypothalamic neuromodulation of self-regulation and cognition in preterm infants: Towards a control systems model. COMPREHENSIVE PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY 2022; 9:100109. [PMID: 35755927 PMCID: PMC9216652 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpnec.2021.100109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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Lee RS, Zandi PP, Santos A, Aulinas A, Carey JL, Webb SM, McCaul ME, Resmini E, Wand GS. Cross-species Association Between Telomere Length and Glucocorticoid Exposure. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2021; 106:e5124-e5135. [PMID: 34265046 PMCID: PMC8787853 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgab519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Chronic exposure to glucocorticoids (GCs) or stress increases the risk of medical disorders, including cardiovascular and neuropsychiatric disorders. GCs contribute to accelerated aging; however, while the link between chronic GC exposure and disease onset is well established, the underpinning mechanisms are not clear. OBJECTIVE We explored the potential nexus between GCs or stress exposure and telomere length. METHODS In addition to rats exposed to 3 weeks of chronic stress, an iatrogenic mouse model of Cushing syndrome (CS), and a mouse neuronal cell line, we studied 32 patients with CS and age-matched controls and another cohort of 75 healthy humans. RESULTS (1) Exposure to stress in rats was associated with a 54.5% (P = 0.036) reduction in telomere length in T cells. Genomic DNA (gDNA) extracted from the dentate gyrus of stressed and unstressed rats showed 43.2% reduction in telomere length (P = 0.006). (2) Mice exposed to corticosterone had a 61.4% reduction in telomere length in blood gDNA (P = 5.75 × 10-5) and 58.8% reduction in telomere length in the dentate gyrus (P = 0.002). (3) We observed a 40.8% reduction in the telomere length in patients with active CS compared to healthy controls (P = 0.006). There was a 17.8% reduction in telomere length in cured CS patients, which was not different from that of healthy controls (P = 0.08). For both cured and active CS, telomere length correlated significantly with duration of hypercortisolism (R2 = 0.22, P = 0.007). (4) There was a 27.6% reduction in telomere length between low and high tertiles in bedtime cortisol levels of healthy participants (P = 0.019). CONCLUSION Our findings demonstrate that exposure to stress and/or GCs is associated with shortened telomeres, which may be partially reversible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard S Lee
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Peter P Zandi
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Alicia Santos
- Endocrinology/Medicine Department, Hospital Sant Pau, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBER-ER, Unit747), IIB-Sant Pau, ISCIII and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anna Aulinas
- Endocrinology/Medicine Department, Hospital Sant Pau, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBER-ER, Unit747), IIB-Sant Pau, ISCIII and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jenny L Carey
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Susan M Webb
- Endocrinology/Medicine Department, Hospital Sant Pau, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBER-ER, Unit747), IIB-Sant Pau, ISCIII and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mary E McCaul
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Eugenia Resmini
- Correspondence: Eugenia Resmini, MD, PhD, Endocrinology/Medicine Department, Hospital Sant Pau, CIBER-ER, Unit747, IIB-Sant Pau, ISCIII, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Gary S Wand
- Gary S. Wand, MD, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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8
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van Dokkum NH, de Kroon MLA, Reijneveld SA, Bos AF. Neonatal Stress, Health, and Development in Preterms: A Systematic Review. Pediatrics 2021; 148:peds.2021-050414. [PMID: 34548378 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2021-050414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
CONTEXT An overview of the full range of neonatal stressors and the associated clinical, laboratory, and imaging outcomes regarding infants' health and development may contribute to the improvement of neonatal care. OBJECTIVE To systematically review existing literature on the associations between all kinds of neonatal stressors and the health and development of preterm infants. DATA SOURCES Data sources included Embase, Medline, PsycINFO, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and reference lists. STUDY SELECTION Studies were eligible if they included a measure of neonatal stress during the NICU stay, reported clinical, laboratory, and/or imaging outcomes regarding health and/or development on discharge from the NICU or thereafter, included preterm infants, and were written in English or Dutch. DATA EXTRACTION Two reviewers independently screened the sources and extracted data on health and development. Study quality was assessed by using the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. RESULTS We identified 20 articles that reported on neonatal stress associated negatively with clinical outcomes, including cognitive, motor, and emotional development, and laboratory and imaging outcomes, including epigenetic alterations, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis functioning, and structural brain development. We found no evidence regarding associations with growth, cardiovascular health, parent-infant interaction, the neonatal immune system, and the neonatal microbiome. LIMITATIONS The studies were all observational and used different definitions of neonatal stress. CONCLUSIONS Neonatal stress has a profound impact on the health and development of preterm infants, and physicians involved in their treatment and follow-up should be aware of this fact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nienke H van Dokkum
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Beatrix Children's Hospital .,Department of Health Sciences, University Medical Center Groningen and University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Marlou L A de Kroon
- Department of Health Sciences, University Medical Center Groningen and University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Sijmen A Reijneveld
- Department of Health Sciences, University Medical Center Groningen and University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Arend F Bos
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Beatrix Children's Hospital
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Mariani Wigley ILC, Mascheroni E, Peruzzo D, Giorda R, Bonichini S, Montirosso R. Neuroimaging and DNA Methylation: An Innovative Approach to Study the Effects of Early Life Stress on Developmental Plasticity. Front Psychol 2021; 12:672786. [PMID: 34079501 PMCID: PMC8165202 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.672786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation plays a key role in neural cell fate and provides a molecular link between early life stress and later-life behavioral phenotypes. Here, studies that combine neuroimaging methods and DNA methylation analysis in pediatric population with a history of adverse experiences were systematically reviewed focusing on: targeted genes and neural correlates; statistical models used to examine the link between DNA methylation and neuroimaging data also considering early life stress and behavioral outcomes. We identified 8 studies that report associations between DNA methylation and brain structure/functions in infants, school age children and adolescents faced with early life stress condition (e.g., preterm birth, childhood maltreatment, low socioeconomic status, and less-than optimal caregiving). Results showed that several genes were investigated (e.g., OXTR, SLC6A4, FKBP5, and BDNF) and different neuroimaging techniques were performed (MRI and f-NIRS). Statistical model used ranged from correlational to more complex moderated mediation models. Most of the studies (n = 5) considered DNA methylation and neural correlates as mediators in the relationship between early life stress and behavioral phenotypes. Understanding what role DNA methylation and neural correlates play in interaction with early life stress and behavioral outcomes is crucial to promote theory-driven studies as the future direction of this research fields.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eleonora Mascheroni
- 0-3 Center for the At-Risk Infant, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | - Denis Peruzzo
- Neuroimaging Lab, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | - Roberto Giorda
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | - Sabrina Bonichini
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Rosario Montirosso
- 0-3 Center for the At-Risk Infant, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, Italy
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10
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Telomere length shortening in hospitalized preterm infants: A pilot study. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0243468. [PMID: 33471805 PMCID: PMC7817026 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0243468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Leukocyte telomere length is a biomarker of aging-related health risks. Hospitalized preterm infants frequently experience elevated oxidative stress and inflammation, both of which contribute to telomere shortening. Our aim was to examine changes in telomere length during neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) hospitalization in a cohort of preterm infants <32 weeks' gestation. We conducted a longitudinal study of 10 infants (mean gestational age 27 weeks, range 23.5 to 29, at birth). We isolated DNA from dried blood spots and used Real Time Quantitative PCR to measure relative leukocyte telomere length in triplicate at three time points for each participant. From birth to discharge, infants experienced an average decline in relative telomere length of 0.021 units per week (95% CI -0.040, -0.0020; p = 0.03), after adjustment for gestational age at birth. Our results suggest a measurable decline in telomere length during NICU hospitalization. We speculate that telomere length change may convey information about NICU exposures that carry short- and long-term health risks.
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Erickson SJ, Kubinec N, Vaccaro S, Moss N, Rieger R, Rowland A, Lowe JR. The association between maternal interaction and infant cortisol stress reactivity among preterm and full term infants at 4 months adjusted age. Infant Behav Dev 2019; 57:101342. [PMID: 31421390 DOI: 10.1016/j.infbeh.2019.101342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2019] [Revised: 07/13/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to assess the association between maternal interactive behavior and infant cortisol stress reactivity in response to the Still Face paradigm (SF) in a cohort of four-month old infants (adjusted age) born preterm (<32 weeks gestation, N = 22) compared with infants born full term (>37 weeks gestation, N = 28). Infant cortisol reactivity was calculated as area under the curve (AUC) from baseline to the third cortisol sample (30 min post-SF) using the trapezoidal rule, while the percent of time mothers spent using a contingent interaction style was measured (0-100%) during episodes 1 (Play; baseline), 3 (Reunion#1), and 5 (Reunion#2) while mother-infant dyads participated in the SF paradigm. We hypothesized that because infants born preterm are at increased risk for dysregulation, they would show, compared to full-term infants, a blunted stress response, involving under-responsiveness. We found blunted cortisol stress reactivity among the preterm infants. We also found that mothers of preterm infants demonstrated less contingent maternal interaction during Renion#1 of the SF; and that contingent maternal interaction at Reunion#2 of the SF was protective against cortisol stress reactivity in response to the SF. However, we did not find that the influence of maternal interaction on cortisol reactivity was moderated by gestational age group (full term vs preterm): the association between contingent maternal interaction and stress reactivity was similar for both gestational groups across episodes. In order to improve self-regulation and longer term social and cognitive developmental outcomes in medically at-risk infants, future research is warranted to determine how these findings relate to infants' stress reactions in naturalistic settings, and the directionality and temporal relationship between cortisol stress responses and maternal interactive behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah J Erickson
- Department of Psychology, Logan Hall, University of New Mexico, MSC03 2220, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, United States.
| | - Nicole Kubinec
- Department of Psychology, Logan Hall, University of New Mexico, MSC03 2220, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, United States
| | - Suzanne Vaccaro
- Department of Psychology, Logan Hall, University of New Mexico, MSC03 2220, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, United States
| | - Natalia Moss
- Department of Psychology, Logan Hall, University of New Mexico, MSC03 2220, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, United States
| | - Rebecca Rieger
- Department of Psychology, Logan Hall, University of New Mexico, MSC03 2220, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, United States
| | - Andrew Rowland
- UNM College of Population Health, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, United States
| | - Jean R Lowe
- Department of Pediatrics, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, United States
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