Associations between maternal psychological distress and salivary cortisol during pregnancy: A mixed-models approach

Psychological distress during pregnancy is associated with a higher risk of behavioral and emotional problems, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, and affective disorders in the offspring (e.g., Glover, 2014; Lahti et al., 2017; Van den Bergh and Marcoen, 2004; Van den Bergh et al., 2008; Van den Bergh et al., 2017; Walder et al., 2014). A frequently proposed mechanism for this association is the flow of abnormally high levels of maternal stress hormones, in particular cortisol, through the placenta (Beijers et al., 2014; R äikkönen et al., 2011).

Source: Psychoneuroendocrinology - June 5, 2018 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Marion I. van den Heuvel, Marcel A.L.M. van Assen, Vivette Glover, Stephan Claes, Bea R.H. Van den Bergh Source Type: research