Maternal stress during pregnancy can affect fetal development and lead to premature birth, according to a new US study.
The study was conducted by researchers at Columbia University and published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Babies born before the 37th week of pregnancy suffer from health problems due to insufficient time to create their organs and need special medical care so that their organs can function without outside help.
According to the study, researchers estimate that an estimated 30% of pregnant women report being subjected to psychological or physical stress due to functional stress or problems related to depression and anxiety.
To monitor the impact of pregnant women on stress on fetal health, the team monitored two groups of pregnant women between the ages of 18 and 45, the first with varying levels of psychological and physical stress, while the second was not.
The team examined 27 indicators of psychosocial, physical and lifestyle stress, affecting women and causing increased daily stress and tension.
The team found that pregnant women who were stressed had an increased risk of having children with slowed central nervous system development, compared to non-stressed mothers.
The researchers also found that physically stressed mothers, in conjunction with high blood pressure, were more likely to give birth prematurely.
The risk of premature birth is linked to higher infant mortality and physical and mental disorders, such as hyperactivity disorder, attention deficit anxiety, the researchers said.
"The uterus affects the life of the fetus as much as the home where the child is raised, if not more," said lead researcher Dr. Catherine Monk.
She added that pregnant women can overcome the negative effects of stress with the social support they receive from friends and family, so this support can be an effective target for clinical intervention to solve this health problem.