Neuroendocrinology of childbirth and mother-child attachment: the basis of an etiopathogenic model of perinatal neurobiological disorders.
This review focuses on the neuroendocrine mechanisms in the mother and the newborn that are involved in the generation and consolidation of mother-child attachment. The role that different hormones and neurotransmitters play on the regulation of these mechanisms during parturition, the immediate postpartum period and lactation is discussed. Interferences in the initiation of mother-child attachment may have potential long-term effects for the behavior and affection of the newborn. Therefore, the possible consequences of alterations in the physiological neuroendocrine mechanisms of attachment, caused by elective Cesarean section, intrapartum hormonal manipulations, preterm delivery, mother-infant postpartum separation and bottle-feeding instead of breastfeeding are also discussed.
Department of Psychiatry, Autonomous University of Madrid, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain.
Ibone
I
Olza-Fernández
Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain.
Miguel Angel
MA
Marín Gabriel
Unidad Docente de Salud Mental de la Región de Murcia, Hospital General Universitario Santa María del Rosell de Cartagena, Murcia, Spain.
Alfonso
A
Gil-Sanchez
Instituto Cajal, CSIC, Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: lmgs@cajal.csic.es.
Luis M
LM
Garcia-Segura
Instituto Cajal, CSIC, Madrid, Spain.
Maria Angeles
MA
Arevalo
D000818:Animals; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000523:psychology; D004703:Endocrine System; D006801:Humans; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000502:physiology
Autism; Cesarean section; Childbirth; Maternal behavior; Mother–child attachment; Noradrenaline; Oxytocin; Progesterone; Prolactin; Vasopressin