Maternal psychopathology influences infant heart rate variability: Generation R Study

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Bram Dierckx1, Joke H M Tulen, Mijke P van den Berg

  • 1Generation R Study Group, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam 3000 CB, Netherlands.

Psychosomatic Medicine
|March 3, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Maternal psychiatric disorders and postnatal symptoms are linked to infant heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV). This suggests impacts on the developing autonomic nervous system in infants.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Pediatric Health
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) are key indicators of autonomic nervous system (ANS) function in children.
  • The ANS is increasingly recognized as a biological marker for psychopathology in pediatric populations.
  • Understanding factors influencing infant ANS development is crucial for early identification and intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between maternal psychopathology and infant heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV).
  • To assess if maternal psychiatric history and symptoms during and after pregnancy affect infant autonomic functioning.
  • To determine the impact of maternal mental health on the developing ANS in infants.

Main Methods:

  • Examined 528 infants at 14 months for heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV).
  • Used high-frequency HRV as a measure of cardiac vagal modulation.
  • Assessed maternal lifetime psychiatric diagnosis (CIDI) and postnatal symptoms (BSI).

Main Results:

  • Maternal psychiatric history correlated with higher infant mean HR and lower cardiac vagal modulation.
  • Postnatal maternal anxiety and depression symptoms were associated with increased infant mean HR.
  • No significant associations were found between prenatal maternal symptoms and infant autonomic functioning.

Conclusions:

  • Maternal lifetime psychiatric diagnosis significantly impacts infant autonomic functioning.
  • Postnatal maternal psychiatric symptoms are associated with higher infant heart rate and reduced vagal modulation.
  • Findings highlight the influence of maternal mental health on infant ANS development.
Abstract

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