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Effects of public health interventions on maternal‐infant interaction during feeding are modified by stress
Author(s) -
Frongillo Edward A,
Frith Amy L,
Naved Ruchira T
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.20.4.a558-a
Subject(s) - stressor , medicine , psychological intervention , gestation , neophobia , breast feeding , pregnancy , pediatrics , environmental health , clinical psychology , psychiatry , biology , genetics
Good maternal‐infant interaction is fundamental for infant well‐being, but factors influencing it during feeding in developing countries are unknown. This study evaluated whether the effects of timing of maternal prenatal food supplementation or type of counseling on maternal‐infant feeding interaction were modified by maternal postnatal stress. A cohort of 180 mothers‐infants was selected from 3300 in the MINIMat trial in Bangladesh. At 8 wk gestation, women were randomly assigned to receive food supplements (600 kcal/d; 6 days/wk) beginning either early (~12 wk) or usual governmental program (~17 wk) gestational time until delivery, and health counseling either with or without exclusive breast‐feeding counseling. Maternal‐infant feeding interaction was observed at about 3.7 mo of age in the home using the NCAST scale, and exposure to stressors (food insecurity, physical abuse, psychological abuse) and response to stress (distress) were obtained by questionnaires. Two saliva samples were collected as a measure of response to stress (awakening response of cortisol). The effect of timing of food supplementation on feeding interaction was modified by postnatal food insecurity and physical abuse. The effect of type of counseling on feeding interaction was modified by change in morning cortisol. Maternal‐infant feeding interaction benefited from earlier prenatal food supplementation and exclusive breast‐feeding counseling, depending on stress. These results give useful information for designing, targeting, and evaluating maternal food supplementation and counseling interventions.