Objective <p>Oxytocin plays a pivotal role in human social bonding, behavior, and physiology, yet the determinants of its basal levels remain poorly understood. This study examined the influence of breastfeeding practices, early life experiences, parental interactions, and sociodemographic factors on basal serum oxytocin levels in school-aged children.</p> Methods <p>One hundred healthy children were evaluated. Mothers completed structured face-to-face interviews capturing breastfeeding history, feeding frequency, complementary feeding, perinatal variables (mode of delivery, gestational age, neonatal intensive care unit admission), parental demographics, and parent–child interaction patterns. Oxytocin levels were measured from fasting venous blood samples using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and analyzed in relation to these variables.</p> Results <p>Children whose fathers contributed to caregiving and who spent frequent time with their fathers had higher oxytocin levels. Basal oxytocin levels increased with gestational age. Perinatal factors, including preterm birth, cesarean delivery, and NICU admission, were associated with lower basal oxytocin levels. No significant associations emerged between basal oxytocin and exclusive breastfeeding duration.</p> Conclusion <p>Early life experiences and parent–child interactions play a critical role in oxytocin levels. Supporting paternal involvement in childcare and promoting vaginal delivery may play an important role in fostering optimal oxytocin regulation and associated child development outcomes.</p>

错误:搜索内容不能为空,请输入英文关键词
错误:关键词超出字数限制,请精简
高级检索

Association Between Breastfeeding, Early Life Experiences, Parental Interaction and Basal Oxytocin Levels in School-Age Children

  • Mukaddes Kılıç Sağlam

摘要

Objective

Oxytocin plays a pivotal role in human social bonding, behavior, and physiology, yet the determinants of its basal levels remain poorly understood. This study examined the influence of breastfeeding practices, early life experiences, parental interactions, and sociodemographic factors on basal serum oxytocin levels in school-aged children.

Methods

One hundred healthy children were evaluated. Mothers completed structured face-to-face interviews capturing breastfeeding history, feeding frequency, complementary feeding, perinatal variables (mode of delivery, gestational age, neonatal intensive care unit admission), parental demographics, and parent–child interaction patterns. Oxytocin levels were measured from fasting venous blood samples using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and analyzed in relation to these variables.

Results

Children whose fathers contributed to caregiving and who spent frequent time with their fathers had higher oxytocin levels. Basal oxytocin levels increased with gestational age. Perinatal factors, including preterm birth, cesarean delivery, and NICU admission, were associated with lower basal oxytocin levels. No significant associations emerged between basal oxytocin and exclusive breastfeeding duration.

Conclusion

Early life experiences and parent–child interactions play a critical role in oxytocin levels. Supporting paternal involvement in childcare and promoting vaginal delivery may play an important role in fostering optimal oxytocin regulation and associated child development outcomes.