Stress in pregnancy can affect child's development

By Patricia Reaney

LONDON (Reuters Life!) - Expectant fathers play a bigger role in their child's early development than they may realise and it begins from the moment of conception.

Far from being just bystanders during the pregnancy, their relationship with their wife or partner and any stress it may cause can influence their child's brain development.

"The partner really has quite a role to play in how their child turns out even while the mother is pregnant," said Dr Vivette Glover, of Imperial College London.

"We found an effect (from stress) on both mental and emotional development," she told Reuters.

The expert on foetal development who presented her findings at a meeting of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in London studied the impact of maternal stress during pregnancy on the child.

How children develop depends on their genes and upbringing but Glover found that what happens in the womb is also an important component.

She questioned 123 women about their pregnancy and examined their children's development at 18 months old.

"There were two types of stress. One was stress due to anxiety and a history of mental illness but the other was stress due to the relationship with the partner," she said.

Earlier studies have shown that children may have a higher risk of behavioural problems, anxiety, and cognitive and emotional problems if their mother suffered from stress while pregnant.

Research in animals has also found that maternal stress can lead to long-term change in their offspring's neurodevelopment.

When Glover tested the mental development of the children she uncovered differences between babies whose mothers reported stress and those who didn't.

"Their mental development was a bit slower and they showed more fear and anxiety," she said.

Although it is not fully understood how maternal stress affects the foetus, it is thought to be linked to raised levels of the stress hormone cortisol in the mother's blood and in the amniotic fluid.

Recent research uncovered a link between levels of cortisol in amniotic fluid and the child's mental development index, which assesses the baby's progress. It showed the higher the cortisol level, the lower the index.

Glover stressed that not all babies are affected by maternal stress. But she advised pregnant women who are feeling stressed to see their doctor, talk to someone or to take time out to relax.

"We don't have evidence about what does work. It is very likely that these things will help," she said.

"Most children turn out fine. It just increases the risk and it probably depends on the genetic vulnerability in the first place. Some children may be more prone to be anxious," she added.