Antenatal stress on fetal and neurodevelopment Flashcards
what forms of prenatal stress are associated with increased risk of cognitive changes in child?
- Maternal anxiety and depression
- Maternal daily hassles
- Pregnancy specific anxiety
- Domestic abuse; partner or family discord
- Distress caused by war
- Experience of acute disasters, e.g. freezing ice storm, hurricane or 9/11
what effect does increased maternal stress have on cortisol?
higher utero expsure to corstisol via transplacental passage cortisol
maternal stress/anxiety/ mental illness also increases proinflammatory cytokines
what effect can increased utero cortisol have on cognitive function?
lower cognitive function
reduced attention
increased anxiety
similar to those observed in children in early maltreatment
what can reverse the effects of high in uterno exposure to cortisol?
sensitive early mothering (secure attachment)
what are the effects of prenatal stress seen on a structural MRI?
thinner cortex (depression and cognitive problems)
enlarged amygdala (increased anxiety)
what are the effects of prenatal stress seen on a diffusion MRI?
alterations in uncinate fasciculus which connects amygdala with frontal cortex
associated with mood disorders and antisocial behaviour
what is epigenetic changes?
functionally relevant modifications to the genome that do not involve a change in nucleotide sequence
can persist to grandchild generation
what are the evolutionary benefits of changes caused by pre-natal stress?
impulse- more willing to explore new environments
conduct disorder- more willing to break rules
aggressive- fight predators or other tribes
cognitive deficit- side effect of ADHD or autism spectum
autism spectrum- understand things in different ways
what are the effects of breastfeeding the child at 1 month?
lower emotional and behavioral issues
exclusive breastfeeding at one month improves:
- IQ
- Hyperactivity
- No emotional or conduct disorders
