Prenatal stressors of human life affect fetal brain development.
In a population-based study, 3021 women in a central Copenhagen district received a questionnaire on environmental and psychological factors during mid-gestation. Of these, 70 women were selected consecutively on the basis of moderate to severe stressful life-events (DSM-III-R categories 3 to 5), in combination with an inadequate social network. They were compared with 50 non-stressed women with an intact social network. Stress and smoking significantly affected birthweight and head circumference. When birthweight was corrected, stress remained a significant determinant of small head circumference, indicating a specific effect on brain development. Stress also led to a suboptimal Prechtl neonatal neurological score. These findings suggest the existence of a fetal stress syndrome with adverse effects on fetal development, including deficient brain development.
Lou
H C
HC
John F. Kennedy Institute, Glostrup, Denmark.
Hansen
D
D
Nordentoft
M
M
Pryds
O
O
Jensen
F
F
Nim
J
J
Hemmingsen
R
R
D001921:Brain / Q000196:embryology*; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000209:etiology; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000150:complications*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires