Oxytocin responsivity in mothers of infants: a preliminary study of relationships with blood pressure during laboratory stress and normal ambulatory activity.

The neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) enhances maternal behavior and decreases blood pressure (BP) and stress responses in animals. Thus, the relationship of OT responsivity to BP in 14 breast- and 11 bottle-feeding mothers of infants was examined. Laboratory BP was assessed during baseline, speech preparation, active speech, and recovery on 2 days, 1 in which baseline and speech were separated by 10 min of baby holding and the other by no baby contact. Systolic BP reactivity to speech was lower after baby contact. Plasma OT change from baseline to speech after baby contact defined OT increase, minimal OT change, and OT decrease groups. OT increase mothers were primarily breast-feeders, and they had lower BP throughout both stress sessions and after baby feeding at home than OT decrease mothers, who also had greater BP reactivity to preparation and recovery. These results suggest that oxytocin has antistress and BP-lowering effects in humans.

Perinatal and behavioral characteristics of neonates born to multirisk families.

The perinatal health status and behavioral characteristics of 47 newborns of multirisk (psychiatric and socioenvironmental) mothers who received either comprehensive intervention services or community-based services are described. Obstetric and postnatal health measures did not differ between groups, but there was a tendency for infants of comprehensively treated women to be healthier. Both groups were similar on Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale cluster scores at 3 to 5 days of age. However, by 1 month of age, there was very little progress in Orientation and Autonomic Regulation capacities, and in some cases the infants' performance declined markedly on other clusters. The infants who did not receive comprehensive services had significantly less optimal motor performance and autonomic regulation scores. That worrisome patterns of adaptation were detected quite early in life suggests that these may be a particularly vulnerable subset of newborns.