Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 3, 2026

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
19:15

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale

Published on: August 25, 2014

Prenatal life and post-natal psychopathology: evidence for negative gene-birth weight interaction

M C Wichers1, S Purcell, M Danckaerts

  • 1Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Maastricht University, The Netherlands.

Psychological Medicine
|November 8, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Pregnancy and birth complications like being small for gestational age (SGA) interact with genetic factors. SGA reduces the impact of genetic predisposition on child problem behaviors, suggesting a gene-environment interaction.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Behavioral Genetics
  • Perinatal Medicine

Background:

  • Pregnancy and birth complications (PBCs) are linked to child psychopathology.
  • The independent role of genetic predisposition versus environmental factors in PBCs remains unclear.
  • Gene-environment interaction is a critical area for understanding child mental health outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate gene-environment interaction in the context of pregnancy and birth complications.
  • To examine if the effects of PBCs on child psychopathology are independent of genetic predisposition.
  • To assess the influence of genetic factors on child problem behavior in relation to birth weight.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from the East Flanders Prospective Twin Survey, including 760 twin pairs aged 6-17 years.
  • Employed multilevel regression analysis to evaluate the impact of various PBCs.
  • Applied structural equation modeling (ACE models) to analyze genetic, shared, and unique environmental influences.

Main Results:

  • Identified a significant independent effect of being small for gestational age (SGA) on child problem behavior.
  • Found a significant interaction between genetic influence and SGA.
  • SGA exposure attenuated the influence of additive genetic factors on individual differences in problem behavior.

Conclusions:

  • Evidence suggests a negative gene-birth weight interaction.
  • Children who are SGA exhibit reduced sensitivity to genetic effects on problem behavior.
  • Individuals with high genetic vulnerability are less susceptible to the impact of SGA on mental health.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Concurrent Collection of Fetal Murine Brain and Serum to Assess Effects of Maternal Diet on Nutrition and Neurodevelopment in Neurofibromatosis Type 105:44

Concurrent Collection of Fetal Murine Brain and Serum to Assess Effects of Maternal Diet on Nutrition and Neurodevelopment in Neurofibromatosis Type 1

Published on: May 17, 2024

Generation of the Early-Gestational Maternal Immune Activation Mouse Model to Assess Prenatal Inflammation on Neurodevelopment08:53

Generation of the Early-Gestational Maternal Immune Activation Mouse Model to Assess Prenatal Inflammation on Neurodevelopment

Published on: March 24, 2026

Related Concept Videos

Nature and Nurture01:10

Nature and Nurture

Many human characteristics, like height, are shaped by both nature—in other words, by our genes—and by nurture, or our environment. For example, chronic stress during childhood inhibits the production of growth hormones and consequently reduces bone growth and height. Scientists estimate that 70-90% of variation in height is due to genetic differences among individuals, and 10-30% of variation in height is due to differences in the environments that individuals experience, such as differences...
Genomic Imprinting and Inheritance02:30

Genomic Imprinting and Inheritance

Diploid organisms inherit genetic material through chromosomes from both parents. Copies of the same gene are known as alleles. In most cases, both alleles are simultaneously expressed and allow various cellular processes to function optimally. If one of the alleles is missing or mutated, the expression of the other allele can compensate; however, this is not true for all genes.
The expression of some genes depends on which parent passed the gene to the offspring, through a phenomenon known as...
Background and Environment Affect Phenotype02:27

Background and Environment Affect Phenotype

Although the genetic makeup of an organism plays a major role in determining the phenotype, there are also several environmental factors, such as temperature, oxygen availability, presence of mutagens, that can alter an organism’s phenotype.
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...
Human Genetics01:28

Human Genetics

Human genetics provides a profound framework for understanding the interplay between genetic predispositions and human psychology. At the heart of this discipline lies the study of how genes influence physical traits, behaviors, and susceptibility to diseases. Each person carries a unique genetic code that subtly or significantly shapes their psychological and behavioral landscape.
The complex relationship between genetics and psychology is observable through common biological components such...
Gene-Environment Interactions01:20

Gene-Environment Interactions

Gene expression is a dynamic process that is significantly influenced by environmental factors. This interaction underlies the complex nature of biological development and the phenotypic differences observed among individuals, even among those with identical genetic makeups. Factors such as radiation, temperature, behavior, nutrition, and stress play pivotal roles in determining how genes are expressed. The concept of the reaction range is central to understanding this interaction. It posits...
Behavioral Genetics and Its Designs01:23

Behavioral Genetics and Its Designs

Behavior genetics explores how genetic inheritance influences human behavior. It focuses on how genes, passed from parents to offspring, contribute to the development of behavioral traits and tendencies. This branch of genetics seeks to understand the complex interplay between inherited genetic factors and environmental influences in shaping our behaviors.
The primary methodologies used in behavior genetics include family studies, twin studies, and adoption studies, each providing unique...