Salivary caffeine and neonatal behavior: assay modification and functional significance.

A radioimmunoassay (RIA) was developed for the quantification of caffeine in saliva. The mean salivary caffeine level for this sample of 40 full-term, AGA, healthy 1-2 day old human neonates was consistent with levels reported in previous studies. Salivary caffeine was significantly correlated with the number of state changes and startles observed during administration of the Brazelton Neonatal Behavior Assessment Scale. There was also a nonsignificant trend correlating salivary caffeine with visual orienting and consolability.