Dataset Information

Associations Between Hormonal Biomarkers and Preterm Infant Health and Development During the First 2 Years After Birth.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Testosterone levels have been used to examine infant boys' vulnerability to health and developmental problems, following the general theories of gender differences and the theory of extreme male brain of autism.

Objectives

As testosterone is a representative androgen hormone and is higher in preterm than full-term infants, we used this steroid to determine if hypothalamic pituitary hormones, testosterone, and cortisol, were related to physical growth, health, and development of very-low-birthweight (VLBW, BW < 1,500 g) infants.

Method

For this comparative longitudinal study, 40 VLBW infants were recruited from a neonatal intensive care unit of a tertiary medical center. Data were collected from medical record reviews, questionnaires, and assessments of infant development at 6, 12, and 24 months. We collected saliva at the three time points and measured hormones using enzyme-immunoassays.

Results

General and generalized mixed models showed that a 1pg/ml increment of testosterone was related to a -0.42% decrease in body weight, a -0.18% decrease in length, and a -0.10% decrease in head circumference. Cortisol levels were not associated with any outcome variable. The interactions between testosterone and time on physical growth and socioemotional development also occurred.

Discussion

Elevated testosterone levels can be a biological risk factor for poor infant growth and development. Theories about the effects of elevated prenatal testosterone could be useful in predicting health and developmental outcomes among VLBW infants. Research beyond the first 2 years will be needed as infants show more socioemotional and behavioral problems as they grow older.

SUBMITTER: Cho J

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8264856 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Associations Between Hormonal Biomarkers and Preterm Infant Health and Development During the First 2 Years After Birth.

Cho June J Chien Lung-Chang LC Holditch-Davis Diane D

Biological research for nursing 20200723 2

<h4>Background</h4>Testosterone levels have been used to examine infant boys' vulnerability to health and developmental problems, following the general theories of gender differences and the theory of extreme male brain of autism.<h4>Objectives</h4>As testosterone is a representative androgen hormone and is higher in preterm than full-term infants, we used this steroid to determine if hypothalamic pituitary hormones, testosterone, and cortisol, were related to physical growth, health, and develo ...[more]

PMID: 32700638

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Project description:ImportancePreterm birth is associated with an increased risk for long-lasting attention deficits. Early-life markers of attention abnormalities have not been established to date but could provide insights into the pathogenesis of attention abnormalities and could help identify susceptible individuals.ObjectiveTo examine whether preterm birth is associated with visual attention impairments in early life, and if so, in which attention functions and at which developmental period during the first 2 years of life.Data sourcesPubMed and PsycINFO were searched on November 17, 2019, to identify studies involving visual attention outcomes in infants born preterm vs full term.Study selectionPeer-reviewed studies from the past 50 years met the eligibility criteria if they directly assessed visual attention outcomes until the age of 2 years in generally healthy infants born preterm or full term. The selection process was conducted by 2 independent reviewers.Data extraction and synthesisThe Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) reporting guideline was followed. Random-effects models were used to determine standardized mean differences. The risk of bias was assessed both within and between studies.Main outcomes and measuresFive nascent indices of visual attention were analyzed, including very basic functions-namely, the abilities to follow and fixate on visual targets-and more complex functions, such as visual processing (ie, habituation), recognition memory (ie, novelty preference), and the ability to effortfully focus attention for learning.ResultsA total of 53 studies were included, with 69 effect sizes and assessing a total of 3998 infants (2047 born preterm and 1951 born full term; of the 3376 for whom sex was reported, 1693 [50.1%] were girls). Preterm birth was associated with impairments in various attention indices, including visual-following in infancy (Cohen d, -0.77; 95% CI, -1.23 to -0.31), latency to fixate (Cohen d, -0.18; 95% CI, -0.33 to -0.02), novelty preference (Cohen d, -0.20; 95% CI, -0.32 to -0.08), and focused attention (Cohen d, -0.28; 95% CI, -0.45 to -0.11). In the neonatal period, preterm birth was associated with superior visual-following (Cohen d, 0.22; 95% CI, 0.03 to 0.40), possibly owing to the additional extrauterine exposure to sensory stimulation. However, this early association waned rapidly in infancy (Cohen d, -0.77; 95% CI, -1.23 to -0.31).Conclusions and relevanceThe findings suggest that preterm birth is associated with impingements to visual attention development in early life, as manifested in basic and then complex forms of attention. Advancements in neonatal care may underlie improvements found in the current era and accentuate several early protective factors.

Dataset Information

Associations Between Hormonal Biomarkers and Preterm Infant Health and Development During the First 2 Years After Birth.

Background

Objectives

Method

Results

Discussion

Publications

Associations Between Hormonal Biomarkers and Preterm Infant Health and Development During the First 2 Years After Birth.

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