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Fetal programming of temperamental negative affectivity among children born healthy at term

Anu-Katriina Pesonen1, Katri Räikkönen, Eero Kajantie

  • 1Department of Psychology, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 9, 00014, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.

Developmental Psychobiology
|November 18, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Small body size at birth is linked to increased negative emotionality in children, suggesting prenatal environment influences temperament. These effects may occur even within the normal range of fetal development.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Pediatrics
  • Behavioral Biology

Background:

  • The fetal programming hypothesis posits that in utero conditions impact long-term health and behavior.
  • Small birth size is a potential indicator of adverse fetal environments.
  • Temperament, a biologically based personality trait, may be influenced by early life experiences.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between fetal growth parameters and temperamental outcomes in children.
  • To determine if birth size (weight, length, ponderal index) predicts negative affectivity in early childhood.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal study of 416 healthy, full-term infants (gestational weeks 37-42).
  • Assessment of fetal growth using ponderal index (thinness) and birth length.
  • Measurement of child temperament using negative affectivity scales (Child Behavior Questionnaire - CBQ) at 5.5 years old.

Main Results:

  • Smaller body size at birth (higher ponderal index) correlated with increased negative affectivity, including anger, discomfort, and sadness proneness.
  • Longer birth length predicted higher levels of anger and sadness proneness.
  • Gestation length moderated the relationship between birth size and negative affectivity.

Conclusions:

  • Fetal growth and size at birth are associated with the biological basis of temperament.
  • Antenatal environmental factors, potentially involving the fetal glucocorticoid system, may shape temperament even within normal fetal development parameters.
  • These findings support the fetal programming hypothesis regarding behavioral outcomes.

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