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Am J Perinatol 2024; 41(08): 1106-1112
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1778008
Short Communication

Hair Cortisol Concentrations in Opioid-Exposed versus Nonexposed Mother–Infant Dyads

Tierney M. Morrison
1   Department of Newborn Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
,
Davida M. Schiff
2   Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
,
Abigael Olson
3   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
,
Richard G. Hunter
4   Department of Psychology, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, Massachusetts
,
Joel Agarwal
5   Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
,
Erin C. Work
2   Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
,
Serra Muftu
2   Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
,
Hira Shrestha
6   Department of Pediatrics, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
,
Jeffery Boateng
6   Department of Pediatrics, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
,
Martha M. Werler
5   Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
,
Ginny Carter
7   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
,
Hendree E. Jones
7   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
,
Elisha M. Wachman
6   Department of Pediatrics, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
› Author Affiliations Funding This study was supported by funding from the National Institutes of Health (R01HD096798 to E.M.W.).
› Further Information
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Abstract

Objective To pilot measurement of hair cortisol concentration (HCC) in pregnant women with opioid use disorder and their infants over time and study the potential utility of hair cortisol as a biomarker of chronic stress in this population.

Study Design In this pilot prospective cohort study of mother–infant dyads with and without prenatal opioid exposure, we obtained mother–infant HCCs at delivery and again within 1 to 3 months' postpartum. HCCs were compared between the opioid and control groups and between the two time points.

Results There were no significant differences between opioid and control group maternal or infant HCCs at either time point. However, within the opioid-exposed group, there was a significant increase in infant HCCs across the two time points.

Conclusion This pilot study describes our experience with the measurement of HCCs in opioid-exposed mother–infant dyads.

Key Points

  • Maternal stress impacts fetal and child health.

  • Many stressors in pregnant women with opioid use disorder.

  • Hair cortisol may be a useful stress biomarker.

Keywords

hair cortisol - chronic stress - opioid use disorder - NOWS

Supplementary Material



Publication History

Received: 07 April 2023

Accepted: 04 December 2023

Article published online:
31 December 2023

© 2023. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.
333 Seventh Avenue, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10001, USA

 

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