A study published in Translational Psychiatry has found that maternal stress and depression during pregnancy and the postpartum period may lead to changes in infant DNA through a process known as DNA methylation (DNAm). These changes, potentially occurring through key biological pathways, may have long-term implications for the child’s development and health.
Key Findings:
Associations with DNAm: The study observed significant associations between maternal stress and depression with differences in DNAm patterns in infants both at birth and at 12 months. These associations, though gene-specific, could impact neurological and behavioral development, with implications for conditions such as ADHD and epilepsy.
Study Cohort: Data came from the Canadian Healthy Infant Longitudinal Development (CHILD) cohort, which enrolled pregnant women and followed their children for five years. Using blood samples from infants, researchers identified variations in DNAm linked to maternal mental health during and after pregnancy.
The Biological Mechanisms:
Maternal stress and depression may alter infant DNA by triggering epigenetic changes through the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the transmission of cortisol. These processes may influence neurodevelopmental and health outcomes, emphasizing the critical role maternal mental health plays in shaping infant biology.
Implications for Future Research:
The findings suggest that maternal mental health interventions could mitigate the potential negative impacts on infant development. However, further studies are needed to explore these epigenetic mechanisms, as well as to understand how they might affect various tissues beyond blood, such as the brain. The results underscore the importance of supporting maternal well-being during pregnancy to promote healthier developmental outcomes in children.
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