Randi A Bates1, Pamela J Salsberry2, Jodi L Ford3, Rita H Pickler3, Jaclyn M Dynia4, Laura M Justice4. 1. University of Cincinnati College of Nursing, 3110 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH 45221, United States. Electronic address: batesri@ucmail.uc.edu. 2. The Crane Center for Early Childhood Research and Policy, College of Education and Human Ecology, The Ohio State University, 175 East 7th Ave, Columbus, OH 43201, United States; The Ohio State University College of Public Health, Cunz Hall, 1841 Neil Ave, Columbus, OH 43210, United States. 3. The Ohio State University College of Nursing, 1585 Neil Ave, Columbus, OH 43214, United States. 4. The Crane Center for Early Childhood Research and Policy, College of Education and Human Ecology, The Ohio State University, 175 East 7th Ave, Columbus, OH 43201, United States.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: A first step to advance stress science research in young children is understanding the relationship between chronic stress in a mother and chronic stress in her child. One non-invasive measure of chronic stress is hair cortisol. However, little is known about strategies for hair sampling in mother-toddler dyads living in low-income homes in the U.S. To address prior limitations, the purpose of this study was to understand the feasibility of sampling hair for cortisol analysis in mother-toddler dyads living in low-income homes in the U.S. We examined feasibility related to participation, eligibility, and gathering an adequate hair sample weight. METHODS: We approached 142 low-income, racially diverse, urban-dwelling mothers who were participating in an ongoing longitudinal birth cohort study for informed consent to cut approximately 150 hairs from the posterior vertex of their scalp and their toddlers' (20-24 months) scalp. We demonstrated the process of sampling hair with a hairstyling doll during home visits to the mother and toddler using rounded-end thinning shears. RESULTS: Overall, 94 of 142 mother-toddler dyads (66 %) participated in hair sampling. The most common reason for participation refusal was related to hairstyle. All but three hair samples were of adequate weight for cortisol extraction. DISCUSSION: The findings from this study can help researchers address sampling feasibility concerns in hair for cortisol analysis research in mother-toddler dyads living in low-income homes in the U.S.
BACKGROUND: A first step to advance stress science research in young children is understanding the relationship between chronic stress in a mother and chronic stress in her child. One non-invasive measure of chronic stress is hair cortisol. However, little is known about strategies for hair sampling in mother-toddler dyads living in low-income homes in the U.S. To address prior limitations, the purpose of this study was to understand the feasibility of sampling hair for cortisol analysis in mother-toddler dyads living in low-income homes in the U.S. We examined feasibility related to participation, eligibility, and gathering an adequate hair sample weight. METHODS: We approached 142 low-income, racially diverse, urban-dwelling mothers who were participating in an ongoing longitudinal birth cohort study for informed consent to cut approximately 150 hairs from the posterior vertex of their scalp and their toddlers' (20-24 months) scalp. We demonstrated the process of sampling hair with a hairstyling doll during home visits to the mother and toddler using rounded-end thinning shears. RESULTS: Overall, 94 of 142 mother-toddler dyads (66 %) participated in hair sampling. The most common reason for participation refusal was related to hairstyle. All but three hair samples were of adequate weight for cortisol extraction. DISCUSSION: The findings from this study can help researchers address sampling feasibility concerns in hair for cortisol analysis research in mother-toddler dyads living in low-income homes in the U.S.
Authors: Adaeze C Wosu; Unnur Valdimarsdóttir; Alexandra E Shields; David R Williams; Michelle A Williams Journal: Ann Epidemiol Date: 2013-10-05 Impact factor: 3.797
Authors: Liz Rietschel; Fabian Streit; Gu Zhu; Kerrie McAloney; Josef Frank; Baptiste Couvy-Duchesne; Stephanie H Witt; Tina M Binz; John McGrath; Ian B Hickie; Narelle K Hansell; Margaret J Wright; Nathan A Gillespie; Andreas J Forstner; Thomas G Schulze; Stefan Wüst; Markus M Nöthen; Markus R Baumgartner; Brian R Walker; Andrew A Crawford; Lucía Colodro-Conde; Sarah E Medland; Nicholas G Martin; Marcella Rietschel Journal: Sci Rep Date: 2017-11-10 Impact factor: 4.379