Prenatal Programming of Human Neurological Function
Author Information
Author(s): Curt A. Sandman, Elysia P. Davis, Claudia Buss, Laura M. Glynn
Primary Institution: University of California, Orange, CA, USA
Hypothesis
Fetal exposure to elevated levels of stress hormones influences neurological development and may lead to long-term cognitive and emotional impairments.
Conclusion
Fetal exposure to stress hormones has significant negative consequences for neurological development, affecting cognitive performance and brain structure in children.
Supporting Evidence
- Fetal exposure to elevated stress hormones delays nervous system maturation.
- Stress during pregnancy is linked to increased risk of cognitive and emotional impairments in children.
- Maternal stress hormones can alter the developmental trajectory of the fetal nervous system.
Takeaway
When a mom is stressed during pregnancy, it can change how her baby’s brain grows, which might make it harder for the baby to think and feel later on.
Methodology
The study reviewed various prospective and retrospective studies examining the effects of maternal stress and hormones on fetal and neonatal development.
Potential Biases
Differences in reproductive physiology and fetal brain development across species may limit the generalizability of animal model findings to humans.
Limitations
The majority of studies relied on retrospective data and surrogate measures of early experience, which may limit the validity of the findings.
Participant Demographics
The study involved a cohort of 191 mother/fetal dyads evaluated throughout pregnancy.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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