Early prediction and psycho-immunologic mediation of minor illness in adulthood

Bellingham-Young, Denise; Adamson-Macedo, Elvidina N.

dc.contributor.author	Bellingham-Young, Denise
dc.contributor.author	Adamson-Macedo, Elvidina N.
dc.date.accessioned	2006-12-01T16:09:05Z
dc.date.available	2006-12-01T16:09:05Z
dc.date.issued	2002
dc.identifier.citation	Bellingham-Young D. and Adamson-Macedo E. (2001) Early prediction and psycho-immunologic mediation of minor illness in adulthood. Neuroendocrinology Letters, 23(3), pp. 219-225.
dc.identifier.issn	0172-780X
dc.identifier.pmid	12080282
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/2436/6332
dc.description	© 2001 Neuroendocrinology Letters. This is an open access article available under a Creative Commons licence. The published version can be accessed at the following link on the publisher’s website: https://www.nel.edu/early-prediction-and-psycho-immunologic-mediation-of-minor-illness-in-adulthood-2253/
dc.description.abstract	The Barker Hypothesis suggests that an unfavourable uterine environment can have the effect of programming the body for disease later in life. Research indicates a bidirectional relationship between thought and biochemical reactions, that may be influenced by early programming. Reports suggest that 25% of variance in birthweight is a result of foetal environment and that the health and cognitive deficits do not just affect those with an officially low birthweight. OBJECTIVE: This study investigates the influence of birthweight on cognition and minor illness in adults. METHODS: This is a retrospective, cross sectional design with an opportunity sample of 75 adults. Participants whose birthweight ranged from 2.5 kg to 4.88 kg, completed a symptom check list and general self-efficacy scale, reporting on the previous month. RESULTS: Analysis of variance indicates that those with higher birthweight have fewer minor illness symptom days and higher general self-efficacy. Regression analysis indicates that birthweight is significantly predictive of levels of minor illness and general self-efficacy. CONCLUSION: From the findings of this and previous studies, it is possible to infer vertical coactions between foetal environment and immuno competence. It is suggested that birthweight is an early predictor of levels of a cognitive mediator and minor illness. Data were applied to an equilibrium model to represent the relationship in terms of Gottlieb's concept of horizontal and vertical coactions.
dc.format.extent	176660 bytes
dc.format.mimetype	application/pdf
dc.language.iso	en
dc.publisher	National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health
dc.relation.url	http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12080282http://www.nel.edu/pdf_w/23_3/NEL230302A03_Adamson_rw.pdf
dc.subject	Barker Hypothesis
dc.subject	Foetal environment
dc.subject	Minor illness
dc.subject	Psycho-immunology
dc.subject.mesh	Birth Weight
dc.title	Early prediction and psycho-immunologic mediation of minor illness in adulthood
dc.type	Journal article
dc.format.dig	YES
rioxxterms.licenseref.uri	https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
refterms.dateFOA	2018-08-21T15:39:50Z
html.description.abstract	The Barker Hypothesis suggests that an unfavourable uterine environment can have the effect of programming the body for disease later in life. Research indicates a bidirectional relationship between thought and biochemical reactions, that may be influenced by early programming. Reports suggest that 25% of variance in birthweight is a result of foetal environment and that the health and cognitive deficits do not just affect those with an officially low birthweight. OBJECTIVE: This study investigates the influence of birthweight on cognition and minor illness in adults. METHODS: This is a retrospective, cross sectional design with an opportunity sample of 75 adults. Participants whose birthweight ranged from 2.5 kg to 4.88 kg, completed a symptom check list and general self-efficacy scale, reporting on the previous month. RESULTS: Analysis of variance indicates that those with higher birthweight have fewer minor illness symptom days and higher general self-efficacy. Regression analysis indicates that birthweight is significantly predictive of levels of minor illness and general self-efficacy. CONCLUSION: From the findings of this and previous studies, it is possible to infer vertical coactions between foetal environment and immuno competence. It is suggested that birthweight is an early predictor of levels of a cognitive mediator and minor illness. Data were applied to an equilibrium model to represent the relationship in terms of Gottlieb's concept of horizontal and vertical coactions.