Face-to-face interaction in term and preterm infants

Abstract

Previous research has found that mothers of preterm infants work harder in a face‐to‐face situation with their infants than mothers of term infants. Data have also revealed that preterm infants are less responsive than term infants in a social interaction. To date, there have been few studies that have attempted to determine the range of facial expressive cues that preterms may be emitting or the possible physiological basis for this behavior. In an attempt to investigate these questions, preterm and term infants were observed in a face‐to‐face situation. Prior to the session, three minutes of resting EKG was recorded. The infant's facial behavior was coded with a discrete facial action coding system. Maternal behavior was also coded. Measures of heart rate as well as short and long term variability were computed. Results revealed no differences in facial lability or in facial expressiveness between term and preterm infant. In addition, there were no differences in maternal behavior to either term or preterm. There were, however, reliable contingent relationships between facial expression of the infant and maternal behavior. In addition, there was a significant association between short term variability (vagal tone) and infant facial behavior.

Vagal activity, early growth and emotional development

“…In studies in the 80's, for example, newborns who were more expressive were also noted to have greater heart rate variability (Field, 1982), and three-month-old infants with greater heart rate variability showed more interest expressions (Fox & Gelles, 1984). Older 5-month-old infants with greater vagal activity showed more interest and joy expressions, while infants with lower vagal tone showed more looking-away behavior (Stifter, Fox & Porges., 1989).…”

“…In a review of this literature, Beauchaine (2001) has argued that the Porges polyvagal model could be combined with motivational theory, which contrasts activation with inhibition to explain the wide individual differences and the differences across psychological disorders. Gray's model has been empirically tested not only by behavior but also by EEG patterns, and a large literature has evolved on greater relative right frontal versus greater relative left frontal EEG activation (Fox, 1984;Davidson, 1992) including our work on depressed mothers and infants who are noted to have greater relative right frontal EEG activation (Field et al 2003). We have argued elsewhere for a profile model that combines these approach/withdrawal behaviors, right/left frontal EEG activation, vagal tone and biochemistry (cortisol, catecholamines and serotonin), .…”

Vagal tone in infants of depressed mothers

“…Vagal tone (VT) is defined as the amount of old infants with greater heart rate variabilinhibitory influence on the heart by the ity displayed longer duration interest exparasympathetic nervous system. It can be pressions (Fox & Gelles, 1984). These data accurately and noninvasively determined suggest that infants with higher vagal tone through the quantification of the influence are generally more reactive and more emoof Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia (RSA) on tionally expressive, heart rate variability (Porges, 1985; Infants of depressed versus nonde- McCabe, & Yougue, 1982).…”

“…and they show lower vagal tone (Field et al, Emotional reactivity in infants has been 1988). These findings, together with the correlated with vagal activity (Field, Wood-higher heart rate and cortisol levels (Field et son, Greenberg, & Cohen, 1982;Fox, 1989;al., 1988), suggest that these infants might Fox & Gelles, 1984;Pickens & Field, 1993a; be more stressed during their early interac- Porges, 1991;Stifter, Fox, & Porges, 1989). tions with their mothers.…”

Infant response to frustrating and mildly stressful events: A positive look at anger in the first year

“…We were interested in finding out if there were differences in infant facial expressivity that related to autonomic patterning. In an initial study Fox and Gelles (1984) found a positive association between heart rate variability and facial expression in three-month-old infants. Infants with high tonic heart-rate variability displayed more facial expressions than infants with low tonic heart-rate variability.…”