Effects of psychosocial stress during pregnancy on psychological development of the offspring.

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.