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. 2010 Jan-Feb;81(1):131-48.
doi: 10.1111/j.1467-8624.2009.01385.x.

The timing of prenatal exposure to maternal cortisol and psychosocial stress is associated with human infant cognitive development

Elysia P Davis  1 , Curt A Sandman
Affiliations

The timing of prenatal exposure to maternal cortisol and psychosocial stress is associated with human infant cognitive development

Elysia P Davis et al. Child Dev. 2010 Jan-Feb.

Abstract

The consequences of prenatal maternal stress for development were examined in 125 full-term infants at 3, 6, and 12 months of age. Maternal cortisol and psychological state were evaluated 5 times during pregnancy. Exposure to elevated concentrations of cortisol early in gestation was associated with a slower rate of development over the 1st year and lower mental development scores at 12 months. Elevated levels of maternal cortisol late in gestation, however, were associated with accelerated cognitive development and higher scores at 12 months. Elevated levels of maternal pregnancy-specific anxiety early in pregnancy were independently associated with lower 12-month mental development scores. These data suggest that maternal cortisol and pregnancy-specific anxiety have programming influences on the developing fetus.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Infant performance on the MDI at 12 months of age is associated with the trajectory of maternal cortisol across gestation. The top and bottom SD for MDI are modeled with HLM.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Elevated pregnancy specific anxiety early in gestation is associated with poorer performance on the MDI at 12 months of age. The top and bottom SD for MDI are modeled with HLM.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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