Stress During Pregnancy and the Development of Diseases in the offspring: A Systematic-Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Objective: The goal of this systematic-review and meta-analysis was to assess whether high maternal stress during pregnancy is associated with the development of pediatric pathology.

Design: Epidemiological peer-reviewed studies published in English or Spanish assessing associations between maternal stress during pregnancy and psychiatric and medical diseases were selected.

Participants: We retrieved 73,024 citations; 42 studies meeting inclusion criteria were assessed. Overall sample included 65,814,076 women.

Findings: Overall odds ratio for the development of a medical disease was OR=1.24 (CI₉₅=1.11, 1.39), Z=3.85, p<.01. Overall odds ratio for psychiatric disorders was OR=1.28 (CI₉₅=1.06, 1.56), Z=2.54, p<.02. Multivariate meta-analysis showed a significant coefficient for autism spectrum disorder studies, B=0.42, SE=0.16, Z=2.67, p<.01. We found a significant overall effect size for autism spectrum disorder (OR=1.45 [CI₉₅=1.24, 1.70], Z=4.69, p<.01). In terms of medical diseases, studies including obesity and infantile colic presented a significant overall effect size, as OR=1.20 (CI₉₅=1.03, 1.39), Z=2.41, p<.02. The highest effect size was found regarding the first trimester (B=1.62, SE=0.16, Z=9.90, p<.01).

Key conclusions: We concluded that exposure to high levels of stress during pregnancy are associated with autism spectrum disorder, obesity, and infantile colic in offspring.

Implications for practice: Maternal stress during pregnancy should be addressed to tackle its potential impact in health across the life span.

Keywords: Diseases; Embryonic and fetal development; Physiological stress; Pregnancy; Psychological stress.