Effects of Antenatal Stress Flashcards
How do levels of stress and anxiety differ during pregnancy vs after?
They are equal
What is the idea of foetal programming?
The environment in the womb can alter the development of the foetus with a long-lasting effect on the child
What is sensitive early mothering useful for?
It helps attachment and can counteract some negative programming that occurred in the womb
What can prenatal stress do to babies and children?
There is increased risk of changes in cognitive development and behaviour in the children
What are some examples of prenatal stress?
Maternal anxiety and depression Maternal daily hassles Pregnancy specific anxiety Domestic abuse Partner or family discord Distress caused by war Experience of acute disasters
What does prenatal stress increase risk of in the child?
Anxiety and depression Behavioral problems-ADHD conduct disorder Impaired cognitive development Neonatal behaviour More difficult infant temperament Victimisation in childhood (bullying) Schizophrenia (stress in first trimester, to do with neuron migration) Autism spectrum Personality disorder Reduced birthweight and gestational age Preterm delivery Mixed handedness Decreased telomere length Asthma Altered immune function Altered microbiome
Why are there associations between prenatal stress and increased risks for children of many conditions?
A lot of it is due to genetics but also due to environmental factors
What is COMT?
Gene variants associated with working memory and ADHD, they inactivate catecholamines
What have studies looking at COMT shown about prenatal stress and effects on the child?
Certain genes will mean a child is affected by maternal prenatal stress whereas certain genes will stop them from being affected so how they are effected is dependant on their own genetic composition
What enzyme in the placenta breaks down cortisol?
11 beta HSD2
What is the role of the 11 beta HSD2 enzyme?
To break down cortisol into cortisone in the placenta
What enzyme is suspected to cause the effects on the baby as a result of maternal stress/mental illness? How does it enter the baby?
Cortisol (and maybe pro inflammatory cytokines), affects the baby via transplacental passage
How does maternal stress/mental illness result in the foetus being exposed to more cortisol?
During periods of stress or in mental illness, the mother produces more cortisol
The more ill/stressed the mother is, the less they can break down cortisol in the placenta so the fetus is more exposed to it
What is higher in utero exposure to cortisol associated with?
Lower cognitive function
Increased anxiety
Reduced attention
What factor affects how much effect cortisol has on the baby?
Maternal attachment, if attachment is insecure cortisol levels have a greater effect on IQ
