Maternal Stress in Gestation: Birth Outcomes and Stress-Related Hormone Response of the Neonates

Relatively few studies have been made on neurobehavioral outcomes of prenatal maternal stress during the newborn period, and little research has focused on umbilical cord stress hormones including cortisol, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), norepinephrine, and epinephrine. Our objective was to inv...

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Main Authors: Qian Su, Huifang Zhang, Yanyan Zhang, Huiping Zhang, Ding Ding, Junan Zeng, Zhongliang Zhu, Hui Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2015-12-01
Series:Pediatrics and Neonatology
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1875957215000492
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author Qian Su
Huifang Zhang
Yanyan Zhang
Huiping Zhang
Ding Ding
Junan Zeng
Zhongliang Zhu
Hui Li
author_facet Qian Su
Huifang Zhang
Yanyan Zhang
Huiping Zhang
Ding Ding
Junan Zeng
Zhongliang Zhu
Hui Li
author_sort Qian Su
collection DOAJ
description Relatively few studies have been made on neurobehavioral outcomes of prenatal maternal stress during the newborn period, and little research has focused on umbilical cord stress hormones including cortisol, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), norepinephrine, and epinephrine. Our objective was to investigate the effects of prenatal maternal life stressors on neonatal birth outcomes, neurobehavioral development, and stress-related hormones levels. Methods: Participants were 142 mothers and their infants; 71 were selected as the prenatal life stressor exposed group and 71 as the control group matched on maternal age, gestational week, delivery type, socioeconomic and education status, and newborns' sex. Maternal life stressors during pregnancy were determined using the Life Events Scale for Pregnant Women. Neonatal neurobehavioral development was assessed with the Neonatal Behavioral Neurological Assessment. Umbilical cord plasma stress-related hormones, including ACTH, cortisol, norepinephrine, and epinephrine were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: In the prenatal life stressors exposed group, newborns had significantly lower birth weight, smaller head circumference (p < 0.01, p < 0.01, respectively). Scores of Neonatal Behavioral Neurological Assessment were significantly reduced (p < 0.001). Cord plasma ACTH, norepinephrine, and epinephrine levels were significantly increased (p < 0.001), but cortisol levels were reduced (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Prenatal maternal stress may negatively affect fetal birth outcomes, neurobehavioral development and affect neonates' cord plasma ACTH, cortisol, norepinephrine, and epinephrine.
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spelling doaj-art-917009ea69be459e88a4b1f474c97c712025-08-20T02:17:04ZengElsevierPediatrics and Neonatology1875-95722015-12-0156637638110.1016/j.pedneo.2015.02.002Maternal Stress in Gestation: Birth Outcomes and Stress-Related Hormone Response of the NeonatesQian Su0Huifang Zhang1Yanyan Zhang2Huiping Zhang3Ding Ding4Junan Zeng5Zhongliang Zhu6Hui Li7Division of Neonatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, ChinaDivision of Neonatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, ChinaDivision of Neonatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, ChinaDivision of Neonatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, ChinaDivision of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, ChinaDivision of Neonatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, ChinaShaanxi Province Biomedicine Key Laboratory, College of Life Sciences Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, ChinaDivision of Neonatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, ChinaRelatively few studies have been made on neurobehavioral outcomes of prenatal maternal stress during the newborn period, and little research has focused on umbilical cord stress hormones including cortisol, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), norepinephrine, and epinephrine. Our objective was to investigate the effects of prenatal maternal life stressors on neonatal birth outcomes, neurobehavioral development, and stress-related hormones levels. Methods: Participants were 142 mothers and their infants; 71 were selected as the prenatal life stressor exposed group and 71 as the control group matched on maternal age, gestational week, delivery type, socioeconomic and education status, and newborns' sex. Maternal life stressors during pregnancy were determined using the Life Events Scale for Pregnant Women. Neonatal neurobehavioral development was assessed with the Neonatal Behavioral Neurological Assessment. Umbilical cord plasma stress-related hormones, including ACTH, cortisol, norepinephrine, and epinephrine were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: In the prenatal life stressors exposed group, newborns had significantly lower birth weight, smaller head circumference (p < 0.01, p < 0.01, respectively). Scores of Neonatal Behavioral Neurological Assessment were significantly reduced (p < 0.001). Cord plasma ACTH, norepinephrine, and epinephrine levels were significantly increased (p < 0.001), but cortisol levels were reduced (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Prenatal maternal stress may negatively affect fetal birth outcomes, neurobehavioral development and affect neonates' cord plasma ACTH, cortisol, norepinephrine, and epinephrine.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1875957215000492adrenocorticotropic hormonecortisolneonate neurobehavioral developmentprenatal maternal stress
spellingShingle Qian Su
Huifang Zhang
Yanyan Zhang
Huiping Zhang
Ding Ding
Junan Zeng
Zhongliang Zhu
Hui Li
Maternal Stress in Gestation: Birth Outcomes and Stress-Related Hormone Response of the Neonates
Pediatrics and Neonatology
adrenocorticotropic hormone
cortisol
neonate neurobehavioral development
prenatal maternal stress
title Maternal Stress in Gestation: Birth Outcomes and Stress-Related Hormone Response of the Neonates
title_full Maternal Stress in Gestation: Birth Outcomes and Stress-Related Hormone Response of the Neonates
title_fullStr Maternal Stress in Gestation: Birth Outcomes and Stress-Related Hormone Response of the Neonates
title_full_unstemmed Maternal Stress in Gestation: Birth Outcomes and Stress-Related Hormone Response of the Neonates
title_short Maternal Stress in Gestation: Birth Outcomes and Stress-Related Hormone Response of the Neonates
title_sort maternal stress in gestation birth outcomes and stress related hormone response of the neonates
topic adrenocorticotropic hormone
cortisol
neonate neurobehavioral development
prenatal maternal stress
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1875957215000492
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