Premature Infant
Conditions
Keywords
Bonding, Gene expression, Stress response, Neurodevelopment
Brief summary
Recent research has identified differences in the quality of mother-child interaction and gene expression of six key molecules involved in stress response and neurobehavioral development in preterm infants (born \<32 weeks of gestational age) with early skin to skin contact after birth compared to infants with visual contact at six months corrected age. We hypothesize that these differences are still identifiable at the age of 6 to 8 years and that quality of bonding in preterm infants born \<32 weeks of gestation differs significantly from late preterm infants and full-term infants.
Detailed description
Quality of bonding in former preterm infants born 2012 to 2015 who participated in the delivery room skin to skin study (deisy), moderate to late preterm infants born 2010 to 2011 who participated in the trauma and depression in late preterm parents study (TraDelPP) and full-term infants at 6 to 8 years of age is assessed using the German version of the attachment story completion task (ASCT). Additionally, gene expression of six key molecules involved in stress response and neurobehavioral development (the corticotropin releasing hormone receptor 1 and 2 genes (CRHR1 and CRHR2), arginine vasopressin gene (AVP), the glucocorticoid receptor gene (NR3C1), the serotonin receptor 2A gene (HTR2A), and the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4)) are quantified in in mucosal epithelial cells from buccal swabs of children of all four groups. Maternal and infant co-factors such as maternal depression, perceived social support, parental stress, infant health development and behavior are assessed by self-reporting questionnaires.
Interventions
DIAGNOSTIC_TESTAttachment story completion taks (ASCT)
Bonding quality
Sponsors
University of Cologne
Study design
Observational model
COHORT
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
6 Years to 9 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* first child, singleton, former participant of deisy or TraDelPP study for preterm infants, uncomplicated vaginal birth for fullterm infants
Exclusion criteria
* Maternal mental health problems, resuscitation after birth, malformations or severe underlying disease
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Bonding quality | 6 to 8 years of age | Quality of mother infant bonding is assessed with the German version of the Attachment Story Completion Task (Bretherton and Ridgeway 1990) |
| Gene expression | 6 to 8 years of age | Quantification of gene expression of six key molecules involved in stress response and neurobehavioural development |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Maternal parenting stress | 6 to 8 years of age | For the assessment of parenting stress the German version of the Parenting Stress Index (PSI) is used |
| Maternal depression | 6 to 8 years of age | Maternal depression is assessed with the German long form of the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). |
| Infant behavior | 6 to 8 years of age | For assessment of infant behavior the German version of the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) is used. |
| Infant health and development | 6 to 8 years of age | Infant health and development are assessed by a self-reporting questionnaire and the results from compulsory pediatric medical checkups. The questionnaire for assessment of infant health and development was designed for the KIGGS study (a large German cohort study on infant´s health) |
| Maternal perceived social support | 6 to 8 years of age | Perceived social support is assessed with the short version of the F-SozU scale (F-SozU K-22). |
Countries
Germany
Contacts
Primary ContactKatrin Mehler, MD
Backup ContactAngela Kribs, MD
Outcome results
None listed