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Maternal psychological distress during pregnancy and childhood cardio-metabolic risk factors

C C V Silva1, F O L Vehmeijer2, H El Marroun3

  • 1Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, The Generation R Study Group, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Erasmus MC - Sophia Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Department of Pediatrics, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

Nutrition, Metabolism, and Cardiovascular Diseases : NMCD
|April 9, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Maternal psychological distress during pregnancy was linked to higher heart rate in boys and elevated triglycerides in girls at age 10. These findings highlight potential sex-specific impacts on offspring cardio-metabolic health.

Area of Science:

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Pediatrics
  • Psychology

Background:

  • Prenatal psychological distress may program offspring for cardio-metabolic diseases.
  • Understanding these associations is crucial for early intervention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the link between maternal psychological distress (overall, depression, anxiety) during pregnancy and cardio-metabolic risk factors in 10-year-old children.
  • To explore potential sex-specific differences in these associations.

Main Methods:

  • Population-based prospective cohort study of 4,088 mother-child pairs.
  • Maternal psychological distress assessed using the Brief Symptom Inventory during pregnancy.
  • Child cardio-metabolic risk factors (heart rate, blood pressure, insulin, glucose, lipids, CRP) measured at age 10.

Main Results:

  • Maternal psychological distress, depression, and anxiety were associated with higher childhood heart rate in boys.
  • Maternal anxiety during pregnancy was linked to higher childhood triglycerides in girls.
  • No significant associations were found between maternal psychological distress and childhood blood pressure, cholesterol, insulin, glucose, or C-reactive protein.

Conclusions:

  • Maternal psychological distress during pregnancy may influence offspring heart rate and triglyceride levels, with sex-specific patterns.
  • Further research is needed to confirm these findings and evaluate long-term cardio-metabolic outcomes.
Abstract

Keywords:
Blood pressureCardio-metabolic riskChildrenCholesterolHeart ratePregnancyPsychological distress

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