Published in:

31-03-2023 | Brief Report

Adverse Childhood Experiences: Associations with a Blunted Cortisol Stress Response During Pregnancy

Authors: Jason T. Carbone, Laurel M. Hicks, Suzanne Brown, Ekjyot K. Saini, Carolyn J. Dayton

Published in: Maternal and Child Health Journal | Issue 8/2023

Abstract

Introduction

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are associated with a range of negative physical and mental health outcomes, yet there is limited research focused on the effect of ACEs on stress responses during pregnancy. Expectant mothers experience an increase in cortisol levels as pregnancy progresses, with this increase having important implications for fetal and early infant development. Little is known about the impact of ACEs on maternal cortisol levels. This study explored the relationship between maternal ACEs and cortisol response among expectant mothers nearing or in the third trimester of pregnancy.

Methods

39 expectant mothers were exposed to a Baby Cry Protocol via an infant simulator, with salivary cortisol collected at five points in time (N = 181). Stepwise, multilevel model creation resulted in a random intercept and random slope model with an interaction term for total number of ACEs and week of pregnancy.

Results

The repeated measures data showed that cortisol levels decreased across collection times, from arrival at the lab, through the Baby Cry Protocol, to recovery. Predictive margins for the interaction term showed that while exposure to a greater number of ACEs was associated with higher cortisol levels early in the third trimester, the expected increase in cortisol late in pregnancy was blunted for expectant mothers who were exposed to a greater number of ACEs.

Discussion

These findings findings suggest the importance of ACEs screening and intervention efforts as part of prenatal care.

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Title: Adverse Childhood Experiences: Associations with a Blunted Cortisol Stress Response During Pregnancy
Authors: Jason T. Carbone
Laurel M. Hicks
Suzanne Brown
Ekjyot K. Saini
Carolyn J. Dayton
Publication date: 31-03-2023
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Maternal and Child Health Journal / Issue 8/2023
Print ISSN: 1092-7875
Electronic ISSN: 1573-6628
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-023-03651-2

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Adverse Childhood Experiences: Associations with a Blunted Cortisol Stress Response During Pregnancy

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Discussion

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Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Discussion

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