Effect of Prenatal Alcohol and Cigarette Exposure on Two- and Six-Month-Old Infants' Adrenocortical Reactivity to Stress1

Examined the effect of prenatal alcohol and cigarette exposure on infant adrenocortical reactivity to stress at 2 and 6 months of age. Cortisol response (pre- to poststressor increase) at 2 months was lower for the exposed than nonexposed infants, whereas cortisol response at 6 months did not differ between the exposed and nonexposed infants. The 2-month group difference in cortisol response reflected a higher prestressor cortisol level in the exposed infants.