Prenatal anxiety predicts individual differences in cortisol in pre-adolescent children

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 16, 2026

A Modified Trier Social Stress Test for Vulnerable Mexican American Adolescents
06:15

A Modified Trier Social Stress Test for Vulnerable Mexican American Adolescents

Published on: July 10, 2017

Thomas G O'Connor1, Yoav Ben-Shlomo, Jon Heron

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester Medical Center, 300 Crittenden Boulevard, Rochester, NY 14642, USA. Tom_OConnor@URMC.Rochester.edu

Biological Psychiatry
|August 9, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Prenatal anxiety in mothers is linked to long-term changes in children's diurnal cortisol patterns, indicating potential lasting effects on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. This early stress may increase vulnerability to later psychopathology.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Neuroendocrinology
  • Human Physiology

Background:

  • Animal models suggest prenatal stress disrupts the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis.
  • Limited human evidence exists regarding the long-term impact of prenatal stress on HPA axis function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the long-term association between maternal prenatal anxiety and diurnal cortisol levels in children at age 10.
  • To explore prenatal anxiety as a potential mechanism influencing HPA axis regulation.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children.
  • Collected diurnal cortisol samples (awakening, 30 min, 4 pm, 9 pm) over 3 days in 74 10-year-olds.
  • Analyzed links between prenatal anxiety symptoms and cortisol indicators, controlling for confounding factors.

Main Results:

  • Prenatal anxiety significantly correlated with differences in awakening and afternoon cortisol levels.
  • These associations remained significant after adjusting for obstetric and sociodemographic risks.
  • The effect on awakening cortisol persisted even after accounting for postnatal maternal mental health.

Conclusions:

  • This study offers the first human evidence of lasting effects of prenatal anxiety on a child's HPA axis functioning.
  • Prenatal anxiety may be a mechanism contributing to increased vulnerability to psychopathology in children and adolescents.
Abstract

More Related Videos

The Trier Social Stress Test Protocol for Inducing Psychological Stress09:39

The Trier Social Stress Test Protocol for Inducing Psychological Stress

Published on: October 19, 2011

Using a Murine Model of Psychosocial Stress in Pregnancy as a Translationally Relevant Paradigm for Psychiatric Disorders in Mothers and Infants06:39

Using a Murine Model of Psychosocial Stress in Pregnancy as a Translationally Relevant Paradigm for Psychiatric Disorders in Mothers and Infants

Published on: June 13, 2021

Related Concept Videos

Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle01:27

Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle

Stress is a multifaceted response to events perceived as challenging or threatening, highlighting physical, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral reactions. Physically, stress can lead to fatigue, sleep disruptions, and various health issues such as frequent colds, chest pains, and nausea. Emotionally, it can manifest as anxiety, depression, irritability, and anger triggered by both minor and major life events. Cognitively, it may result in difficulty in concentration, memory, and...
Socioemotional Development during Infancy01:30

Socioemotional Development during Infancy

Socio-emotional development in infancy is primarily shaped by early emotional responses and social connections, with temperament playing a central role. Temperament refers to the consistent patterns in an individual's emotional and behavioral responses, observable even in infancy. By examining temperament, researchers can better understand an infant's unique ways of interacting with the world, influencing subsequent personality and socio-emotional growth.
Primary Temperament Types
Stella Chess...
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder01:30

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects approximately 5-8% of children globally, with around 60-70% of cases persisting into adulthood. ADHD has significant implications for educational attainment, social interactions, and occupational success.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings.
Stress and Mental Health01:30

Stress and Mental Health

Chronic stress profoundly affects mental health, significantly influencing mood, behavior, and overall quality of life. Research closely links chronic stress with mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Ongoing exposure to stress can lead to physiological and psychological changes, initiating a cycle of emotional distress and maladaptive coping mechanisms.
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
Social Anxiety Disorder01:28

Social Anxiety Disorder

Social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, is characterized by an intense fear of social situations where one might face humiliation, rejection, embarrassment, or negative evaluation. This disorder leads individuals to avoid activities like casual conversations, public speaking, or seemingly simple tasks such as eating, signing documents, or swimming, in public settings. Its impact extends beyond discomfort, often significantly interfering with daily functioning and quality of life.
Piaget's Stage 1 of Cognitive Development01:14

Piaget's Stage 1 of Cognitive Development

The sensorimotor stage, the initial phase of Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development, spans the first two years of a child's life. During this period, infants actively engage with their surroundings, building cognitive awareness through direct interaction with the world. This interaction is primarily based on sensory perception and motor actions, allowing infants to gradually understand basic physical properties and predict how objects interact within their environment.
Exploration...