Primal Health Databank: Study
| Entry No: | 0408 |
| Title: | Prenatal maternal stress: effects on pregnancy and the (unborn) child |
| Author(s): | Mulder EJ, Robles de Medina PG, Huizink AC, Van Den Bergh BR, Buitelaar JK, Visser GH |
| Reference: | Early Hum Dev 2002 Dec;70(1-2):3-14 |
| Place of Study: | The Netherlands |
| Abstract: | Animal experiments have convincingly demonstrated that prenatal maternal stress affects pregnancy outcome and results in early programming of brain functions with permanent changes in neuroendocrine regulation and behaviour in offspring. The aim of this study was to evaluate the existing evidence of comparable effects of prenatal stress on human pregnancy and child development. STUDY DESIGN: Data sources used included a computerized literature search of PUBMED (1966-2001); Psychlit (1987-2001); and manual search of bibliographies of pertinent articles. RESULTS: Recent well-controlled human studies indicate that pregnant women with high stress and anxiety levels are at increased risk for spontaneous abortion and preterm labour and for having a malformed or growth-retarded baby (reduced head circumference in particular). Evidence of long-term functional disorders after prenatal exposure to stress is limited, but retrospective studies and two prospective studies support the possibility of such effects. A comprehensive model of putative interrelationships between maternal, placental, and fetal factors is presented. Conclusion: the emotional state of a pregnant woman may significantly contribute to pregnancy complications and unfavourable development of the (unborn) child. These problems might be reduced by specific stress reduction in high anxious pregnant women, although much more research is needed. |
| Keyword(s): | birth complications, fetal growth, fetal life, maternal emotional state |
| Discussion: | This review article is a useful synthesis after the publication of countless studies exploring the short term and long term effects of the maternal emotional state in pregnancy |
| See Also: | No related entries mentioned for this entry |
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