Abstract:
A self reported questionnaire was used to identify two groups with and without antenatal
stress in otherwise healthy mothers in late pregnancy. The infant's behavior was assessed by
using the Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale at the age of one month. Results: Complete
data were available on 73 term-born infants. Antenatal maternal psychosocial stress was
associated with significant differences on infants behavior in terms of motor, regulation of
state and reflexes (pO.05) whereas in terms of orientation and autonomic stability, the
differences were highly significant (pO.OOl). Maternal antenatal psychosocial stress may
have adverse effects on the psychological behavior of the offspring.
