Maternal Sensitivity Buffers the Association between SLC6A4 Methylation and Socio-Emotional Stress Response in 3-Month-Old Full Term, but not very Preterm Infants

Abstract

Although no differences emerged in caregiving behavior in the two groups of mothers, maternal sensitivity was effective in moderating the effects of <i>SLC6A4</i> methylation in FT infants, but not in VPT infants at 3 months. Speculatively, the buffering effect of maternal sensitivity observed in FT infants was disrupted by the altered early mother-infant contact due to NICU stay of the VPT group. These findings indirectly support that the effects of maternal sensitivity on infants' socio-emotional development might be time dependent, and that mother-infant interventions in the NICU need to be provided precociously within a narrow sensitive period after VPT birth.