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Association between maternal psychological adversity and lung function in South African infants: A birth cohort study

Symon M Kariuki1,2, Diane M Gray3,4, Charles R J C Newton1,2

  • 1Department of Clinical Research (Neurosciences), KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya.

Pediatric Pulmonology
|October 2, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Maternal psychological adversity during pregnancy and after birth is linked to altered infant lung function. Early screening and understanding these impacts can help identify infants at risk for impaired lung development.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric respiratory health
  • Maternal mental health
  • Developmental origins of health and disease

Background:

  • Infant lung function (ILF) is crucial for long-term respiratory health.
  • The impact of perinatal psychological adversity on ILF is understudied, particularly in African populations.
  • Maternal psychological distress and stressors during the perinatal period may influence fetal and infant development, including lung growth.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the association between maternal perinatal psychological adversity and infant lung function in African infants.
  • To investigate the impact of specific adversities like intimate partner violence (IPV) and depression on ILF.
  • To explore both cross-sectional and longitudinal relationships between maternal adversity and ILF.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective longitudinal follow-up of the Drakenstein Child Health Study birth cohort.
  • Analysis of data from 762 infants at 6-10 weeks and 485 infants at 12 months.
  • Generalized linear models for cross-sectional ILF measures and generalized estimating equations for longitudinal ILF data.

Main Results:

  • Prenatal intimate partner violence (IPV) was associated with reduced respiratory resistance and, longitudinally, with reduced tPTEF/tE.
  • Postnatal IPV was linked to reduced tPTEF/tE and decreased functional residual capacity (FRC).
  • Prenatal and postnatal depression were associated with altered respiratory rate and increased FRC, while prenatal PTSD was linked to increased FRC.

Conclusions:

  • Maternal psychological adversity, including IPV, depression, and PTSD, is associated with altered infant lung function.
  • Identifying and addressing maternal psychological adversity may be key to preventing impaired lung development in infants.
  • Further research into the mechanisms linking psychological adversity to ILF is warranted to inform interventions.
Abstract

Keywords:
Africachildreninfant lung functionpsychological adversityrisk factors

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