The primary aim of this two group comparative study is to examine the relationship between fetal exposure to maternal epidural analgesia during labor and measures of neonatal neurobehavioral organization (behavioral state and sucking organization) in the initial feeding at one hour post birth. The associated effects of epiduralanalgesia on sucking organization have not been previously measured. The secondary aim is to examine the relationship between maternaland fetal acute stress responses (cortisol) during labor, and neonatal behavioral state and sucking organization. This research is innovative in exploring whether an attenuated fetal stress response during the criticalperiodof rapidadaptation after birth is a vulnerable link in the initial development of sucking organization afterbirth. These findings will beaninitial step in examining the mechanisms, and perturbations, of early neonatal neurobehavioral organization. Any disruption in the development of neonatal neurobehavioral organization has the potential to alter mother-infant interaction, and the establishment of successfulbreastfeeding, especially in vulnerable dyads.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR)
Type
Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F31)
Project #
5F31NR009912-02
Application #
7337328
Study Section
National Institute of Nursing Research Initial Review Group (NRRC)
Program Officer
Mann Koepke, Kathy M
Project Start
2007-01-16
Project End
2009-08-15
Budget Start
2008-01-16
Budget End
2009-01-15
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2008
Total Cost
$35,434
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Illinois at Chicago
Department
Other Health Professions
Type
Schools of Nursing
DUNS #
098987217
City
Chicago
State
IL
Country
United States
Zip Code
60612
Bell, Aleeca F; White-Traut, Rosemary; Wang, Edward C et al. (2012) Maternal and umbilical artery cortisol at birth: relationships with epidural analgesia and newborn alertness. Biol Res Nurs 14:269-76
Bell, Aleeca F; White-Traut, Rosemary; Medoff-Cooper, Barbara (2010) Neonatal neurobehavioral organization after exposure to maternal epidural analgesia in labor. J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs 39:178-90
Bell, Aleeca F; Lucas, Ruth; White-Traut, Rosemary C (2008) Concept clarification of neonatal neurobehavioural organization. J Adv Nurs 61:570-81