Stress During Pregnancy “Can Affect Baby’s Brain Development”

Stress during pregnancy can affect a baby’s brain development and can even lead to emotional problems as he grows up, says a new study.

British researchers have linked higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol in mothers with structural changes in the amygdala – the small group of almond-shaped neurons located on each side of the brain – of newborn babies.

Cortisol is involved in the body’s response to stress – with higher levels indicating greater stress – and it also plays a role in fetal growth.

While the amygdala – of which there are two in each hemisphere of the brain – is known to be involved in emotional and social development during childhood.

The study authors are calling for extra support for pregnant women to prevent any structural abnormalities in the amygdala.

‘The amygdala is a brain structure that contains highly organized nerve cells: they work together to process information about social situations and emotions in children,’ said Professor James Boardman of the University of Edinburgh.

“Our findings are a call to action to detect and support pregnant women who need additional help during pregnancy, as this could be an effective way to promote healthy brain development in their babies.”

Experts add that pregnant women who are feeling stressed or unwell should seek help from their midwife or counselor, and that with support, most health problems can be well managed in pregnancy.

Maternal stress is known to affect the development of a child’s behavior and the ability to regulate his emotions as he grows up, but this is usually measured by questionnaires, which are not always reliable.

The researchers then used an objective measure – the levels of the hormone cortisol – in the mother to study links with the baby’s brain development.

For the study, the scientists took hair samples from 78 pregnant women to determine cortisol levels in women over the previous three months.

The women’s babies underwent a series of brain scans using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a non-invasive scan that took place while the baby was asleep.

The researchers found that higher cortisol levels in the mother’s hair were linked to structural changes in the children’s amygdala and differences in brain connections.

Structural changes do not refer to the overall size of the amygdala, but rather to its cellular architecture – the structure and shape of its neurons (also known as nerve cells).

The researchers also observed changes in the strength of the connections of the pathways connecting the amygala with other brain regions that are important for emotion processing.

Interestingly, exposure to higher cortisol levels in the womb affected the babies in different ways based on their sex.

The boys showed alterations in the fine structure of their amygdala, while the girls showed changes in how the region connects to other neural networks.

The study could explain why babies whose mothers experienced high levels of stress during pregnancy may be more likely to have emotional problems later in life.

The researchers caution, however, that the study did not evaluate emotions in children.

“This research highlights how important it is to support the mental health of women during pregnancy to ensure that their needs are met and their babies have the best start in life,” said Sarah Brown of theirworld children’s charity. who funded the study.

“Helping mothers cope with stress is an important step in ensuring the prosperity of both mother and baby.”

Stress during pregnancy, for example due to mental or physical disorders, is already known to have long-term effects on the baby’s development.

Epidemiological studies have shown that individuals exposed to stress in the womb are at increased risk for developmental and mood conditions, such as ADHD and depression.

The study was published in the journal eLife.