ijerph-logo

Journal Browser

Journal Browser

Prenatal Stress, Health Behaviors and Child Development

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Global Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 August 2022) | Viewed by 57994

Special Issue Editors

Department of Physical Activity Sciences, University of Quebec in Montreal, Montreal, QC H3C3P8, Canada
Interests: developmental origins of health and disease; prenatal stress; health behaviors during pregnancy; socioeconomic health disparities
1. Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1A1, Canada
2. Mental Health and Society Division, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Verdun, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
Interests: prenatal maternal stress; natural disasters; child development; fetal programming

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The importance of the prenatal environment on long-term health outcomes has become increasingly clear in recent decades. The epidemiological observation that a stressful intrauterine environment affects the psychophysiological development of infants and may increase risk for the future development of lifestyle-related diseases reaffirms the importance of maternal healthcare for the next generation. New research highlights the complexities of these relationships based on diverse factors, such as maternal sociodemographic characteristics, interactions among multiple prenatal risk factors such as stress and health behaviors, and features of the early postnatal environment that might moderate outcomes. At the same time, the increasing public health awareness of the long-term impact of the prenatal environment on health is leading to new interventions integrating maternal mental health and health behaviors during pregnancy, with the aim of improving the long-term outcomes of the next generation.

This Special Issue seeks papers on relationships between the prenatal environment and outcomes of the infant, new clinical approaches for perinatal care, and epidemiological surveys concerning maternal and child health. We particularly welcome papers examining multiple features of the prenatal or postnatal environment that affect later health outcomes and papers highlighting pathways underlying these effects. We also welcome high-quality systematic reviews related to these matters. Ultimately, we hope this Special Issue will not only illustrate the complexities in the relationships between the prenatal environment and long-term health, but also will encourage clinicians and researchers to consider new ways to support improved healthcare during pregnancy, thereby promoting both maternal health and well-being and that of the next generation.

Prof. Cathy Vaillancourt
Prof. Kelsey Needham Dancause
Prof. Suzanne King
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Developmental origins of health and disease
  • Maternal and child health
  • Perinatal care
  • Pregnancy care
  • Maternal mental health
  • Childcare environment
  • Breastfeeding
  • Parenting style
  • Programming effects
  • Infant development
  • Epidemiological surveys for mother and children

Published Papers (17 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review, Other

14 pages, 1541 KiB  
Article
A Cross-Sectional Study of the Marital Attitudes of Pregnant Women at Risk for Cystic Fibrosis and Psychological Impact of Prenatal Screening
by Zoran Laurentiu Popa, Madalin-Marius Margan, Izabella Petre, Elena Bernad, Lavinia Stelea, Veronica Daniela Chiriac, Marius Craina, Ioana Mihaela Ciuca and Anca Mihaela Bina
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(14), 8698; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19148698 - 17 Jul 2022
Viewed by 1745
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is one of the most frequent genetic disorders in those with Northern European ancestry. Prenatal testing for cystic fibrosis may be used to plan and prepare for the birth of a child with the disease or to determine whether to [...] Read more.
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is one of the most frequent genetic disorders in those with Northern European ancestry. Prenatal testing for cystic fibrosis may be used to plan and prepare for the birth of a child with the disease or to determine whether to terminate the pregnancy. The accessibility of prenatal detection for women with a high genetic risk of delivering a child with cystic fibrosis is determined by CF carriers and those affected by the disease. Moreover, prenatal testing for CF is mainly dependent on invasive diagnostic tests that can influence the mental health of the pregnant woman, and it is assumed that the birth of a CF child will have a serious influence on the couple’s subsequent family planning and marital behavior. The purpose of this research was to examine the marital attitudes of women at risk for cystic fibrosis and the psychological effect of screening for CF among pregnant women. The study followed a cross-sectional design with five questionnaires comprising Prenatal Attachment Interview (PAI), Maternal Antenatal Attachment Scale (MAAS), Pregnancy-Related Anxiety Questionnaire (PRAQ-R2), the Prenatal Psychosocial Profile (PPP), and the Marital Intimacy Questionnaire (MIQ). A total of 84 pregnant women were included in the “carriers” group for CFTR and 91 in the “non-carrier” group. CFTR-carrier mothers were likely to be more affectionate to the fetus, with better maternal–fetal quality and intensity of attachment. The same group of pregnant women was less scared of giving birth or worried about bearing a physically or mentally handicapped child compared to women who were expecting the prenatal diagnosis test for being at risk of delivering a newborn with malformations. CFTR-carrier pregnant women did not score significantly different results in the Prenatal Psychosocial Profile regarding stress levels, social support, and self-esteem. It was also found that intimacy and consensus problems inside the marriage were significantly more often experienced by CFTR carriers. Based on the current findings, it is likely that CFTR-carrier mothers have a better perception of the possible pregnancy outcomes by knowing their abnormal gene carrier status. Therefore, the psychological impact of invasive diagnostic tests is lower in this category compared with those who are unaware of the possible pregnancy outcomes. However, we promote a future analysis for pregnant women with moderate risk of giving birth to a child with single-gene mutations such as cystic fibrosis or other congenital malformations that undergo noninvasive prenatal diagnosis tests, as they become more accurate and might cause lower pre-diagnosis stress levels. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prenatal Stress, Health Behaviors and Child Development)
Show Figures

Figure 1

9 pages, 2225 KiB  
Article
Associations between Physiological Biomarkers and Psychosocial Measures of Pregnancy-Specific Anxiety and Depression with Support Intervention
by Karen L. Weis, Tony T. Yuan, Katherine C. Walker, Thomas F. Gibbons and Wenyaw Chan
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(15), 8043; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18158043 - 29 Jul 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1857
Abstract
Stress and anxiety significantly impact the hypothalamic–pituitary axis, and in pregnancy, the subsequent maternal–fetal response can lead to poor outcomes. The objective of this study was to assess the association between psychosocial measures of pregnancy-specific anxiety and physiologic inflammatory responses. Specifically, to determine [...] Read more.
Stress and anxiety significantly impact the hypothalamic–pituitary axis, and in pregnancy, the subsequent maternal–fetal response can lead to poor outcomes. The objective of this study was to assess the association between psychosocial measures of pregnancy-specific anxiety and physiologic inflammatory responses. Specifically, to determine the effectiveness of the Mentors Offering Maternal Support (M-O-M-STM) program to reduce psychosocial anxiety and associated inflammatory response. In conjunction with measures of pregnancy-specific anxiety and depression, serum biomarkers (IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, IL1-B, TNF-α, CRH, CRP, and cortisol) were analyzed for each trimester throughout pregnancy. Results demonstrated that women receiving the M-O-M-STM intervention had longitudinally sustained lower TNF-α/IL-10 ratios than the control group, and it was significantly associated with psychosocial measures of anxiety, specifically for fears of labor and spouse/partner relationships. Additionally, the anxiety of spouse/partner relationships was significantly associated with IL-6/IL-10 ratios. The findings highlight the important counter-regulatory relationship between anti- and pro-inflammatory cytokines and provide insight into the distinct physiologic responses to pregnancy-specific anxiety with early prenatal intervention. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prenatal Stress, Health Behaviors and Child Development)
Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 1614 KiB  
Article
Association of Prenatal Alcohol Exposure and Prenatal Maternal Depression with Offspring Low-Grade Inflammation in Early Adolescence
by Janina Maschke, Jakob Roetner, Sophia Bösl, Anne-Christine Plank, Nicolas Rohleder, Tamme W. Goecke, Peter A. Fasching, Matthias W. Beckmann, Oliver Kratz, Gunther H. Moll, Bernd Lenz, Johannes Kornhuber, Anna Eichler and IMAC-Mind-Consortium
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(15), 7920; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18157920 - 27 Jul 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2549
Abstract
(1) This longitudinal study aimed to investigate the link between prenatal alcohol exposure and prenatal maternal depression with the offspring’s low-grade inflammatory status. (2) Prenatal alcohol exposure was determined via maternal self-report during the 3rd trimester of pregnancy (self-report+: n = 29) and [...] Read more.
(1) This longitudinal study aimed to investigate the link between prenatal alcohol exposure and prenatal maternal depression with the offspring’s low-grade inflammatory status. (2) Prenatal alcohol exposure was determined via maternal self-report during the 3rd trimester of pregnancy (self-report+: n = 29) and the meconium alcohol metabolite Ethyl Glucuronide (EtG), collected at birth (≥30 ng/g: n = 23). The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was used to screen for prenatal maternal depressive symptoms during the 3rd trimester (≥10: n = 35). Fifteen years later, 122 adolescents (M = 13.32 years; 48.4% female) provided blood samples for the analysis of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP; M = 0.91; SD = 1.28). (3) Higher hsCRP levels were found in EtG positive adolescents (p = 0.036, ηp2 = 0.04) and an inverse non-significant dose–response relation with hsCRP (r = −0.35, p = 0.113). For maternal self-reported prenatal alcohol consumption (p = 0.780, ηp2 = 0.00) and prenatal depressive symptoms (p = 0.360, ηp2 = 0.01) no differences for hsCRP levels between the affected and unaffected groups were found. (4) Adolescents with prenatal alcohol exposure are at risk for low-grade systemic inflammation. The EtG biomarker may be more accurate compared to self-reports. The findings suggest that prenatal maternal depression does not evoke low-grade systemic inflammation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prenatal Stress, Health Behaviors and Child Development)
Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 3149 KiB  
Article
Breastfeeding Practice and Association between Characteristics and Experiences of Mothers Living in Bangkok
by Chompoonut Topothai, Thitikorn Topothai, Rapeepong Suphanchaimat, Walaiporn Patcharanarumol, Weerasak Putthasri, Yupayong Hangchaowanich and Viroj Tangcharoensathien
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(15), 7889; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18157889 - 26 Jul 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2385
Abstract
Although the benefits of breastfeeding are widely recognized, only 14% of mothers in Thailand exclusively breastfed their children during the first six months of their lives in 2019, which dropped from 23% in 2016. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of exclusive [...] Read more.
Although the benefits of breastfeeding are widely recognized, only 14% of mothers in Thailand exclusively breastfed their children during the first six months of their lives in 2019, which dropped from 23% in 2016. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) up to six months, current breastfeeding patterns, and key determinants that influence six-month EBF among mothers residing in Bangkok, Thailand. A cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire survey. In total, 676 healthy mothers living in Bangkok, whose most recent child was between 6 and 18 months old, were recruited. Descriptive statistics, univariable analysis by Chi-square test, and multivariable logistic regression were performed to assess the association between six-month EBF and maternal characteristics and experiences of using maternal health services. The prevalence of six-month EBF of infants in Bangkok was 41%. The key determinants that influenced six-month EBF included: maternal age of more than 30 years; higher education level; higher maternal income; multi-parity; exposure to breastfeeding advice during pregnancy; intention to breastfeed for a long duration (≥6 months) during pregnancy; experience of six-month EBF in the previous child. This study draws health professionals’ and policy makers’ attention to further promote breastfeeding in particular types of mothers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prenatal Stress, Health Behaviors and Child Development)
Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 1340 KiB  
Article
Prenatal Exposure to Favorable Social and Environmental Neighborhood Conditions Is Associated with Healthy Pregnancy and Infant Outcomes
by Allison A. Appleton, Betty Lin, Elizabeth A. Holdsworth, Beth J. Feingold and Lawrence M. Schell
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(11), 6161; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18116161 - 07 Jun 2021
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3620
Abstract
Neighborhood and individual level risks commonly co-occur for pregnant women and may cumulatively contribute to birth outcomes. Moreover, the relationship between favorable social and environmental neighborhood conditions and perinatal outcomes has been understudied. This study considered the accumulated impact of prenatal exposure to [...] Read more.
Neighborhood and individual level risks commonly co-occur for pregnant women and may cumulatively contribute to birth outcomes. Moreover, the relationship between favorable social and environmental neighborhood conditions and perinatal outcomes has been understudied. This study considered the accumulated impact of prenatal exposure to positive neighborhood social, environmental, and educational conditions in relation to maternal health during pregnancy and birth size outcomes. In a prospective study of a multi-ethnic and socioeconomically diverse cohort (n = 239) of pregnant women and their infants, neighborhoods were characterized by the Child Opportunity Index (COI), a census-tract composite indicator representing favorable social, environmental, and educational community conditions. Adjusted generalized estimating equations showed that favorable neighborhood conditions promoted the growth of longer and heavier infant bodies, and reduced the risk of intrauterine growth restriction. The associations were stronger for female versus male infants, though not significantly different. Moreover, COI was associated with better maternal mental health and diet during pregnancy; diet significantly mediated the association between COI and birth size outcomes. This study underscores the importance of considering the accumulated benefit of neighborhood assets for maternal and infant health. Interventions that capitalizes on the full range of contextual assets in which mothers live may promote pregnancy health and fetal growth. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prenatal Stress, Health Behaviors and Child Development)
Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 516 KiB  
Article
Incidence, Risk Factors, and Outcomes of Preterm and Early Term Births: A Population-Based Register Study
by Salma Younes, Muthanna Samara, Rana Al-Jurf, Gheyath Nasrallah, Sawsan Al-Obaidly, Husam Salama, Tawa Olukade, Sara Hammuda, Mohamed A. Ismail, Ghassan Abdoh, Palli Valapila Abdulrouf, Thomas Farrell, Mai AlQubaisi, Hilal Al Rifai and Nader Al-Dewik
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(11), 5865; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18115865 - 29 May 2021
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3279
Abstract
Preterm birth (PTB) and early term birth (ETB) are associated with high risks of perinatal mortality and morbidity. While extreme to very PTBs have been extensively studied, studies on infants born at later stages of pregnancy, particularly late PTBs and ETBs, are lacking. [...] Read more.
Preterm birth (PTB) and early term birth (ETB) are associated with high risks of perinatal mortality and morbidity. While extreme to very PTBs have been extensively studied, studies on infants born at later stages of pregnancy, particularly late PTBs and ETBs, are lacking. In this study, we aimed to assess the incidence, risk factors, and feto-maternal outcomes of PTB and ETB births in Qatar. We examined 15,865 singleton live births using 12-month retrospective registry data from the PEARL-Peristat Study. PTB and ETB incidence rates were 8.8% and 33.7%, respectively. PTB and ETB in-hospital mortality rates were 16.9% and 0.2%, respectively. Advanced maternal age, pre-gestational diabetes mellitus (PGDM), assisted pregnancies, and preterm history independently predicted both PTB and ETB, whereas chromosomal and congenital abnormalities were found to be independent predictors of PTB but not ETB. All groups of PTB and ETB were significantly associated with low birth weight (LBW), large for gestational age (LGA) births, caesarean delivery, and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)/or death of neonate in labor room (LR)/operation theatre (OT). On the other hand, all or some groups of PTB were significantly associated with small for gestational age (SGA) births, Apgar < 7 at 1 and 5 min and in-hospital mortality. The findings of this study may serve as a basis for taking better clinical decisions with accurate assessment of risk factors, complications, and predictions of PTB and ETB. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prenatal Stress, Health Behaviors and Child Development)
Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 440 KiB  
Article
Associations between Maternal and Infant Illness and the Risk of Postpartum Depression in Rural China: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study
by Wenbin Min, Wei Nie, Shuyi Song, Nan Wang, Weiqi Nie, Lanxi Peng, Zhuo Liu, Jingchun Nie, Jie Yang, Yonghong Ma and Yaojiang Shi
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(24), 9489; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17249489 - 18 Dec 2020
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1982
Abstract
This study explored how maternal and infant illness correlated with the risk of postpartum depression in the Chinese Qinba Mountains region. In total, 131 villages comprising 435 families with infants (≤6 months old) were randomly sampled. We collected data on maternal and infant [...] Read more.
This study explored how maternal and infant illness correlated with the risk of postpartum depression in the Chinese Qinba Mountains region. In total, 131 villages comprising 435 families with infants (≤6 months old) were randomly sampled. We collected data on maternal and infant illnesses and maternal health knowledge level. The Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 was used to measure the risk of postpartum depression. We used descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression for the analysis. Infant overall health status was a risk factor for postpartum depression (odds ratio (OR) = 1.90, 95% Confidence Interval (95% CI) = 1.10~3.28), whereas maternal overall health status was not correlated with postpartum depression (OR = 1.36, 95% CI = 0.55~3.39). For specific illnesses, infants experiencing over two common illnesses in the past two weeks (OR = 1.98, 95% CI = 1.13~3.45) and mothers experiencing over two common pains within two weeks after delivery (OR = 1.77, 95% CI = 1.02~3.08) were risk factors for postpartum depression, whereas infants with mild and severe stunted growth, maternal C-section, and postpartum body mass index (normal or overweight) were not correlated with it (all p > 0.050). Maternal health knowledge was an important moderator of maternal and infant illnesses on the risk of postpartum depression. In conclusion, maternal and infant illness were essential factors for the risk of postpartum depression in a poor rural region in western China, which may be mainly affected by the feeling of uncertainty of illness. Improved maternal and infant health and enhanced maternal health knowledge might alleviate the risk of postpartum depression. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prenatal Stress, Health Behaviors and Child Development)
Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 833 KiB  
Article
The Effect of Traumatic Experiences of North Korean Adolescent Refugees upon Their Negative Health Perception: Focusing on Multiple Moderating Effect of Problem-Focused versus Social Support-Focused Coping Strategies
by Wonjung Ryu
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(24), 9484; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17249484 - 18 Dec 2020
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1831
Abstract
The health problems of North Korean (NK) refugees living a new life after surviving the dangers of life and death traumas is an issue that must be taken very seriously. Adolescent refugees may be particularly vulnerable to adverse physical and mental health issues [...] Read more.
The health problems of North Korean (NK) refugees living a new life after surviving the dangers of life and death traumas is an issue that must be taken very seriously. Adolescent refugees may be particularly vulnerable to adverse physical and mental health issues because of major physical, cognitive, and psychosocial developmental changes during adolescence. This study examines the positive roles two active coping strategies—problem-focused coping and social support-focused coping—can play in NK refugee adolescents’ health self-awareness. The analysis found that “social support-focused coping” alleviates the negative relationship between traumatic experience and health perception, acting as a protective factor. Contrary to our prediction, the protective effect of adopting “problem-focused coping” in this study was not verified. The findings suggest that providing interventions for developing appropriate coping strategies help them live healthier, both physically and mentally, in South Korean society. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prenatal Stress, Health Behaviors and Child Development)
Show Figures

Figure 1

9 pages, 316 KiB  
Article
Stress and Anxiety Levels in Pregnant and Post-Partum Women during the COVID-19 Pandemic
by Anna Stepowicz, Barbara Wencka, Jan Bieńkiewicz, Wojciech Horzelski and Mariusz Grzesiak
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(24), 9450; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17249450 - 17 Dec 2020
Cited by 49 | Viewed by 6668
Abstract
The aim of this study was to analyze stress and anxiety levels experienced by pregnant and post-partum women during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to indicate the social and medical factors that could contribute to stress and anxiety. A total of 210 [...] Read more.
The aim of this study was to analyze stress and anxiety levels experienced by pregnant and post-partum women during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to indicate the social and medical factors that could contribute to stress and anxiety. A total of 210 patients were enrolled in the study. Two well-established test-tools were applied: State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). The study revealed that the levels of stress and anxiety experienced by the surveyed patients were moderate to high. We demonstrated that women with mental treatment history, those in the first trimester of pregnancy and the ones that are single or in an informal relationship tend to experience higher levels of psychological distress and anxiety. Such factors as age, education, parity, eventful obstetric history, comorbidities, and the number of hospital stays proved to be statistically insignificant in the analysis. Our findings could be used to identify patients at greater risk of experiencing adverse mental effects and to provide them with adequate psychological support. Further multi-center studies are warranted in order to draw final conclusions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prenatal Stress, Health Behaviors and Child Development)
18 pages, 328 KiB  
Article
Health Knowledge of Lifestyle-Related Risks during Pregnancy: A Cross-Sectional Study of Pregnant Women in Germany
by Anja Oechsle, Michel Wensing, Charlotte Ullrich and Manuela Bombana
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(22), 8626; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17228626 - 20 Nov 2020
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3591
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate (1) pregnant women’s level of knowledge of lifestyle-related risk factors during pregnancy and their potential health impact on their offspring, and (2) the factors affecting women’s knowledge of lifestyle-related risk factors during pregnancy. A cross-sectional observational study of [...] Read more.
This study aimed to investigate (1) pregnant women’s level of knowledge of lifestyle-related risk factors during pregnancy and their potential health impact on their offspring, and (2) the factors affecting women’s knowledge of lifestyle-related risk factors during pregnancy. A cross-sectional observational study of pregnant women was carried out in obstetric and gynecologic care settings at three hospitals in Southern Germany. Data from 209 pregnant women revealed large knowledge gaps on lifestyle-related risk factors during pregnancy and their potential health impact. Factors affecting women’s knowledge of lifestyle-related risk factors during pregnancy were specifically associated with socioeconomic status, e.g., lower household net income, middle educational level, and statutory health insurance status. Women who had received information from their gynecologist had a higher level of knowledge of lifestyle-related risk factors during pregnancy. This study showed that health promotion regarding lifestyle-related risks during pregnancy specifically needs to address women from the low-to-middle socioeconomic status group. Gynecologists seem particularly effective in providing this information. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prenatal Stress, Health Behaviors and Child Development)
13 pages, 302 KiB  
Article
Maternal Prenatal Cortisol and Breastfeeding Predict Infant Growth
by Nicki L. Aubuchon-Endsley, Hillary E. Swann-Thomsen and Nicole Douthit
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(21), 8233; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17218233 - 07 Nov 2020
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1760
Abstract
Fetal/infant growth affects adult obesity and morbidities/mortality and has been associated with prenatal exposure to cortisol. Bidirectional relations between maternal stress and breastfeeding suggest that they interact to influence offspring growth. No models have tested this hypothesis, particularly regarding longer-term offspring outcomes. We [...] Read more.
Fetal/infant growth affects adult obesity and morbidities/mortality and has been associated with prenatal exposure to cortisol. Bidirectional relations between maternal stress and breastfeeding suggest that they interact to influence offspring growth. No models have tested this hypothesis, particularly regarding longer-term offspring outcomes. We used a subset of the IDAHO Mom Study (n = 19–95) to examine associations among maternal prenatal cortisol (cortisol awakening response (CAR) and area under the curve), and standardized weight-for-length (WLZ) and length-for-age (LAZ) z-scores from birth-18 months, and main and interactive effects of prenatal cortisol and breastfeeding on infant growth from birth-6 months. CAR was negatively associated with LAZ at birth (r = −0.247, p = 0.039) but positively associated at 13–14 months (r = 0.378, p = 0.033), suggesting infant catch-up growth with lower birth weights, likely related to elevated cortisol exposure, continues beyond early infancy. A negative correlation between breastfeeding and 10-month WLZ (r = −0.344, p = 0.037) and LAZ (r = −0.468, p = 0.005) suggests that breastfeeding assists in managing infant growth. WLZ and LAZ increased from birth to 6 months (ps < 0.01), though this was unrelated to interactions between prenatal cortisol and breastfeeding (i.e., no significant moderation), suggesting that other factors played a role, which should be further investigated. Findings add to our understanding of the predictors of infant growth. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prenatal Stress, Health Behaviors and Child Development)
13 pages, 327 KiB  
Article
Relation between Mother’s Taekyo, Prenatal and Postpartum Depression, and Infant’s Temperament and Colic: A Longitudinal Prospective Approach
by Kyung-Sook Bang, Insook Lee, Sungjae Kim, Yunjeong Yi, Iksoo Huh, Sang-Youn Jang, Dasom Kim and Sujin Lee
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(20), 7691; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17207691 - 21 Oct 2020
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3548
Abstract
This longitudinal cohort correlational study aimed to confirm the relation among taekyo or traditional prenatal practice, prenatal depression, postpartum depression, maternal–fetal interaction, and infant temperament and colic using a prospective design. We recruited 212 women 16–20 weeks pregnant from July 2017 to September [...] Read more.
This longitudinal cohort correlational study aimed to confirm the relation among taekyo or traditional prenatal practice, prenatal depression, postpartum depression, maternal–fetal interaction, and infant temperament and colic using a prospective design. We recruited 212 women 16–20 weeks pregnant from July 2017 to September 2018; they were followed up until six months postpartum. Data from 97 participants were used in the final analysis. We used the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, Cranley’s Maternal–Fetal Attachment Scale, and What My Baby Is Like as measurement tools. We observed a significant correlation between prenatal maternal depression in the first to third trimesters and 6–8 weeks and six months postpartum. In addition, infant temperament at six months old showed a significant negative correlation with prenatal and postpartum depression: the higher the prenatal and postpartum depression level, the more difficult the infant’s temperament. Taekyo practice was significantly related to maternal–fetal attachment (r = 0.45−0.68, p < 0.001). Difficult infants showed more colic episodes than any other type of infant (χ2 = 18.18, p < 0.001). Prenatal and postnatal maternal depression affected infants’ temperament and colic episodes. The management of mothers’ mental health before and after pregnancy is important for infants’ and mothers’ health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prenatal Stress, Health Behaviors and Child Development)
8 pages, 647 KiB  
Article
Relationships between Prenatal Distress and Infant Body Mass Index in the First Year of Life in a Lower-Middle Income Country
by Ann-Sophie Therrien, Giovanna Buffa, Amanda B. Roome, Elizabeth Standard, Alysa Pomer, Jimmy Obed, George Taleo, Len Tarivonda, Chim W. Chan, Akira Kaneko, Kathryn M. Olszowy and Kelsey N. Dancause
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(19), 7351; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17197351 - 08 Oct 2020
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2510
Abstract
Prenatal stress affects body composition in childhood and later in life. However, few studies assess body composition in infancy. Furthermore, most are in high-income countries and do not consider interactive or curvilinear relationships. We assessed distress and diet during pregnancy via questionnaires among [...] Read more.
Prenatal stress affects body composition in childhood and later in life. However, few studies assess body composition in infancy. Furthermore, most are in high-income countries and do not consider interactive or curvilinear relationships. We assessed distress and diet during pregnancy via questionnaires among 310 women in Vanuatu, a lower-middle income country. We measured body mass index (BMI) among 54 infants at 4–12 months of age. We analyzed interactive relationships between prenatal distress and diet with BMI Z-scores, and curvilinear relationships between distress and BMI Z-scores. There were no direct linear or interactive relationships between prenatal distress or diet with BMI Z-scores. We observed curvilinear relationships between prenatal distress and BMI Z-scores (p = 0.008), explaining 13.3 percent of unique variance. Results highlight that relationships between prenatal stress and body composition are evident in infancy but might not be detected if only linear relationships are assessed. Analyses in more diverse samples might help to explain inconsistencies in past studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prenatal Stress, Health Behaviors and Child Development)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research, Other

19 pages, 653 KiB  
Review
Social and Biological Transgenerational Underpinnings of Adolescent Pregnancy
by Amanda Rowlands, Emma C. Juergensen, Ana Paula Prescivalli, Katrina G. Salvante and Pablo A. Nepomnaschy
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(22), 12152; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182212152 - 19 Nov 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 5816
Abstract
Adolescent pregnancy (occurring < age 20) is considered a public health problem that creates and perpetuates inequities, affecting not only women, but societies as a whole globally. The efficacy of current approaches to reduce its prevalence is limited. Most existing interventions focus on [...] Read more.
Adolescent pregnancy (occurring < age 20) is considered a public health problem that creates and perpetuates inequities, affecting not only women, but societies as a whole globally. The efficacy of current approaches to reduce its prevalence is limited. Most existing interventions focus on outcomes without identifying or addressing upstream social and biological causes. Current rhetoric revolves around the need to change girls’ individual behaviours during adolescence and puberty. Yet, emerging evidence suggests risk for adolescent pregnancy may be influenced by exposures taking place much earlier during development, starting as early as gametogenesis. Furthermore, pregnancy risks are determined by complex interactions between socio-structural and ecological factors including housing and food security, family structure, and gender-based power dynamics. To explore these interactions, we merge three complimentary theoretical frameworks: “Eco-Social”, “Life History” and “Developmental Origins of Health and Disease”. We use our new lens to discuss social and biological determinants of two key developmental milestones associated with age at first birth: age at girls’ first menstrual bleed (menarche) and age at first sexual intercourse (coitarche). Our review of the literature suggests that promoting stable and safe environments starting at conception (including improving economic and social equity, in addition to gender-based power dynamics) is paramount to effectively curbing adolescent pregnancy rates. Adolescent pregnancy exacerbates and perpetuates social inequities within and across generations. As such, reducing it should be considered a key priority for public health and social change agenda. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prenatal Stress, Health Behaviors and Child Development)
Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 1809 KiB  
Review
Exploring the Role of Gut Bacteria in Health and Disease in Preterm Neonates
by Jimmy Kok-Foo Lee, Loh Teng Hern Tan, Amutha Ramadas, Nurul-Syakima Ab Mutalib and Learn-Han Lee
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(19), 6963; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17196963 - 23 Sep 2020
Cited by 33 | Viewed by 5078
Abstract
The mortality rate of very preterm infants with birth weight <1500 g is as high as 15%. The survivors till discharge have a high incidence of significant morbidity, which includes necrotising enterocolitis (NEC), early-onset neonatal sepsis (EONS) and late-onset neonatal sepsis (LONS). More [...] Read more.
The mortality rate of very preterm infants with birth weight <1500 g is as high as 15%. The survivors till discharge have a high incidence of significant morbidity, which includes necrotising enterocolitis (NEC), early-onset neonatal sepsis (EONS) and late-onset neonatal sepsis (LONS). More than 25% of preterm births are associated with microbial invasion of amniotic cavity. The preterm gut microbiome subsequently undergoes an early disruption before achieving bacterial maturation. It is postulated that bacterial gut colonisation at birth and postnatal intestinal dysbacteriosis precede the development of NEC and LONS in very preterm infants. In fact, bacterial colonization patterns in preterm infants greatly differ from term infants due to maternal chorioamnionitis, gestational age, delivery method, feeding type, antibiotic exposure and the environment factor in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). In this regard, this review provides an overview on the gut bacteria in preterm neonates’ meconium and stool. More than 50% of preterm meconium contains bacteria and the proportion increases with lower gestational age. Researchers revealed that the gut bacterial diversity is reduced in preterm infants at risk for LONS and NEC. Nevertheless, the association between gut dysbacteriosis and NEC is inconclusive with regards to relative bacteria abundance and between-sample beta diversity indices. With most studies show a disruption of the Proteobacteria and Firmicutes preceding the NEC. Hence, this review sheds light on whether gut bacteria at birth either alone or in combination with postnatal gut dysbacteriosis are associated with mortality and the morbidity of LONS and NEC in very preterm infants. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prenatal Stress, Health Behaviors and Child Development)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Other

Jump to: Research, Review

8 pages, 287 KiB  
Study Protocol
Pregnant Women’s Experiences during Hurricane Maria: Impact, Personal Meaning, and Health Care Needs
by Georgina Silva-Suarez, Silvia E. Rabionet, Carmen D. Zorrilla, Hulda Perez-Menendez and Solaritza Rivera-Leon
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(16), 8541; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18168541 - 12 Aug 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2296
Abstract
During a disaster, pregnant women are considered among the most vulnerable. Background: On 20 September 2017, the Caribbean was hit by a category 4 hurricane. The purpose of the study was to explore the impact on pregnant women during and after the hurricane [...] Read more.
During a disaster, pregnant women are considered among the most vulnerable. Background: On 20 September 2017, the Caribbean was hit by a category 4 hurricane. The purpose of the study was to explore the impact on pregnant women during and after the hurricane regarding access to health care, social services, and support systems. Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted to 10 women that were pregnant during the event. Qualitative inquiry based on the Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis framework was used to interpret the narratives. Results: Five major themes emerged: meaning of living through a disaster, fear, the dual burden of protecting themselves and their unborn baby, disruption in health care, and coping mechanisms. Despite the negative feelings, most participants experienced positive transformations. They narrated how they stayed calm and coped in order to protect their pregnancy. Their overall evaluation of the healthcare system was positive. The support of friends and family was crucial pre and post-disaster. Conclusions: The interviews provided a wealth of firsthand information of women experiencing a natural disaster while pregnant. The findings underscore the need to incorporate emotional support in the preparedness and response plans for pregnant women. Educating, empowering, and incorporating families and communities is vital in these efforts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prenatal Stress, Health Behaviors and Child Development)
35 pages, 15689 KiB  
Systematic Review
Effect of Natural Disaster-Related Prenatal Maternal Stress on Child Development and Health: A Meta-Analytic Review
by Sandra Lafortune, David P. Laplante, Guillaume Elgbeili, Xinyuan Li, Stéphanie Lebel, Christian Dagenais and Suzanne King
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(16), 8332; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18168332 - 06 Aug 2021
Cited by 26 | Viewed by 5247
Abstract
The evidence supporting the idea that natural disaster-related prenatal maternal stress (PNMS) influences the child’s development has been accumulating for several years. We conducted a meta-analytical review to quantify this effect on different spheres of child development: birth outcomes, cognitive, motor, physical, socio-emotional, [...] Read more.
The evidence supporting the idea that natural disaster-related prenatal maternal stress (PNMS) influences the child’s development has been accumulating for several years. We conducted a meta-analytical review to quantify this effect on different spheres of child development: birth outcomes, cognitive, motor, physical, socio-emotional, and behavioral development. We systematically searched the literature for articles on this topic (2756 articles retrieved and 37 articles included in the systematic review), extracted the relevant data to calculate the effect sizes, and then performed a meta-analysis for each category of outcomes (30 articles included across the meta-analyses) and meta-regressions to determine the effect of some factors of interest on the association between PNMS and child development: type of PNMS (objective, psychological, cognitive, diet), type of natural disaster (ice storm, flood/cyclone), type of report (maternal, third-party observer, medical), timing of exposure (preconception exposure included or not) and child age at assessment (under 10 or 10 years and older). We found that PNMS significantly influences all spheres of child development. Higher PNMS levels were associated with longer gestational age, larger newborns, and higher BMI and adiposity levels, as well as worse cognitive, motor, socio-emotional, and behavioral outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prenatal Stress, Health Behaviors and Child Development)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Back to TopTop