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Updated: Feb 20, 2026

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
[Impact of psychosocial stress on child development]
Marine Jequier Gygax1, Karine Sofia Scherrer2, Gëatan Zwingli3,4
1Vidymed, Route de Chavannes 9, 1007 Lausanne.
Insights
Parental psychosocial stress can negatively impact child neurodevelopment, affecting fetal brain development and later outcomes. Early detection and family support are crucial for addressing these bidirectional influences.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Pediatrics
Abstract:
When caregivers are unable to meet their children's needs, psychosocial stress may affect the children's neurodevelopment. Even before or during pregnancy, parental stress is associated with alterations in fetal brain development that may affect later neurodevelopment. Moreover, while parental attitudes and beliefs about child-rearing may impact neurodevelopment (sleep, physical activity, screen time), neurodevelopmental disorders may also affect family mental health. The interaction between psychosocial stress and child neurodevelopment is bidirectional and warrants careful monitoring by primary care health professionals, as suboptimal parenting may hinder the treatment of learning disorders. Thus, early detection and scaffolding of the family structure are key.
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