Cited by 138Stress Responses and CortisolSexual Differentiation and DisordersNeuroendocrine regulation and behavior

Sex differences in neonatal stress reactivity

Davis, Maryann, Emory, Eugene·1995·Child Development

Abstract

The question of whether a sexually dimorphic stress reaction exists prior to extensive socialization was addressed by examining sex differences in physiological and behavioral stress reactivity, in healthy, term neonates, after a mildly stressful behavioral assessment procedure. The Neonatal Behavior Assessment Scale (NBAS; Brazelton, 1973) was administered to 18 male and 18 female neonates. Heart rate (HR), salivary cortisol, and behavioral states were assessed before and after the exam. Sex differences included higher cortisol response in males and a greater change in HR and higher NBAS motor performance cluster score in females. Salivary cortisol, HR change, NBAS cluster scores, and behavioral states after NBAS provided 100% discrimination between male and female infants. These findings suggest that there are neonatal sex differences in behavioral and physiological stress reactivity prior to socialization.

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Crossref · 10.2307/1131187

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Authors
Davis, M., & Emory, E.
Affiliations
Emory University (US)
Venue
Child Development
Published
1995-02
Volume
66
Issue
1
Pages
14
ISSN
0009-3920 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2141710243
Cited by
138
References
59
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 4 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 1 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 7
FWCI
1.93
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Child Development (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Network (American Medical Association) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health (1f32mh009892-01)
  • National Institute of Mental Health (MH 09892-01, K01-MH00060)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Sexual Differentiation and Disorders
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
Keywords
sex differences, sex differences in stress response, salivary cortisol, heart rate, term infants, infant motor performance, behavioral state
MeSH terms
Arousal, Female, Heart Rate, Humans, Hydrocortisone, Infant, Newborn, Male, Neurologic Examination, Sex Factors, Socialization, Stress, Psychological

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