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Prenatal maternal stress and risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in the offspring: a systematic review and

Nicla Manzari1,2, Karen Matvienko-Sikar3, Franco Baldoni1

  • 1Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.

Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
|July 21, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Prenatal stress is linked to a higher risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. Further research is needed to confirm these findings due to study limitations.

Area of Science:

  • Neurodevelopmental disorders
  • Prenatal environmental factors

Background:

  • Prenatal stress is a potential risk factor for neurodevelopmental outcomes.
  • Existing research lacks a clear consensus on the association between prenatal stress and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review and meta-analyze the literature on the association between prenatal stress and the risk of ASD and ADHD in offspring.
  • To provide a quantitative synthesis of current evidence.

Main Methods:

  • A systematic literature search was conducted using multiple electronic databases.
  • The study adhered to a registered protocol and followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.
  • Meta-analysis was performed to pool effect sizes.

Main Results:

  • Prenatal stress showed a significant association with an increased risk of ASD (pooled OR 1.64).
  • Prenatal stress was also significantly associated with an increased risk of ADHD (pooled OR 1.72).
  • High heterogeneity was observed in both ASD and ADHD analyses (I² = 90% and I² = 85%, respectively).

Conclusions:

  • Prenatal stress may be associated with an increased risk of ASD and ADHD.
  • Limitations include significant heterogeneity in the reviewed studies.
  • There is a need for rigorously controlled future studies to elucidate this association.
Abstract

Keywords:
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorderAutism spectrum disorderMental healthPregnancyPrenatal maternal stress

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