Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 10, 2026

Using a Murine Model of Psychosocial Stress in Pregnancy as a Translationally Relevant Paradigm for Psychiatric Disorders in Mothers and Infants
06:39

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

Maternal prenatal anxiety and stress predict infant illnesses and health complaints

Roseriet Beijers1, Jarno Jansen, Marianne Riksen-Walraven

  • 1Department of Developmental Psychology, Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. r.beijers@psych.ru.nl

Pediatrics
|July 21, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Maternal prenatal anxiety and stress are linked to increased infant illnesses and antibiotic use in the first year of life. This study provides early evidence of this connection, highlighting the importance of maternal mental health during pregnancy.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Maternal Health
  • Pediatric Health

Background:

  • Maternal prenatal anxiety and stress are known to impact offspring development.
  • Animal models suggest prenatal stress programs offspring physical health, including immune function.
  • Human studies often focus on birth complications, with limited research on infant illness acquisition.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between maternal prenatal anxiety and stress and infant illnesses.
  • To examine the association between maternal cortisol physiology during pregnancy and infant health outcomes.
  • To determine if prenatal maternal stress predicts infant antibiotic use in the first year of life.

Main Methods:

  • 174 mothers with normal pregnancies provided third-trimester saliva samples for cortisol analysis.
  • Mothers completed questionnaires on general and pregnancy-specific anxiety and stress.
  • Infant illnesses and antibiotic use were tracked via monthly maternal interviews for one year.

Main Results:

  • Prenatal anxiety and stress significantly predicted infant illnesses: 9.3% for respiratory, 10.7% for general, and 8.9% for skin conditions.
  • A significant association was found between prenatal maternal stress and infant antibiotic use (7.6%).
  • No significant relationship was observed between prenatal maternal stress and digestive illnesses.

Conclusions:

  • This study presents novel evidence linking maternal prenatal anxiety and stress to infant illnesses and antibiotic use.
  • Findings suggest prenatal maternal mental health may influence infant susceptibility to common illnesses.
  • Further research is needed to replicate these findings and explore underlying mechanisms.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Limited Bedding and Nesting as a Model for Early-Life Adversity in Mice04:20

Limited Bedding and Nesting as a Model for Early-Life Adversity in Mice

Published on: July 12, 2024

Using Chronic Social Stress to Model Postpartum Depression in Lactating Rodents07:30

Using Chronic Social Stress to Model Postpartum Depression in Lactating Rodents

Published on: June 10, 2013

Related Concept Videos

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...
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...
Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease01:27

Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease

Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is a multidisciplinary field that examines how psychological factors, particularly stress, interact with the immune system and impact physical health. Research in PNI has shown that chronic or traumatic stress can disrupt both the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the sympathetic nervous system. These disruptions contribute to serious health conditions, including cardiovascular diseases.
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...
Psychoneuroimmunology: Diabetes and Cancer01:19

Psychoneuroimmunology: Diabetes and Cancer

Chronic stress has been linked to both the onset and progression of serious health conditions, including Type 2 diabetes and cancer. Type 2 diabetes, a widespread chronic illness, is closely associated with obesity and insulin resistance, both of which often worsen under stress. Studies indicate that men experiencing high levels of chronic stress face a 45% higher risk of developing diabetes compared to those with minimal stress. Stress triggers physiological responses that elevate blood...
Development of the Oral Microbiota01:28

Development of the Oral Microbiota

The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...
Psychological Responses to Stress01:20

Psychological Responses to Stress

Psychological responses to stress encompass the various cognitive and emotional reactions individuals experience when faced with challenging or threatening situations, such as a job loss. Prolonged exposure to stressors can disturb emotional balance, increasing negative emotions (e.g., anxiety and sadness) and diminishing positive emotions (e.g., joy and satisfaction). These persistent emotional shifts are associated with an increased risk of both physical illness and mental health issues, such...