Effect of maternal anxiety on maternal serum and fetal cord blood cortisol. (25th March 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Keshavarzi, Farahnaz; Farnia, Vahid; Yazdchi, Katayoun; Najafi, Farid; Brand, Serge; Bajoghli, Hafez; Nankali, Anisodoleh; Salmanzadeh, Habib
• Is Part Of: Asia-Pacific psychiatry. Volume 6:Number 4(2014:Dec.)
• Page Start: 435
• Page End: 439
• Publication Date: 2014-03-25
• Subjects: Psychiatry -- Pacific Area -- Periodicals; 616.890095
• DOI: 10.1111/appy.12125
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1758-5864

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="appy12125-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Introduction</title> <p>Prenatal exposure to maternal anxiety and inappropriate levels of glucocorticoids may influence intrauterine growth and affect later health outcomes. We examined the relationship between maternal anxiety, maternal serum, and fetal cord blood cortisol.</p> </sec> <sec id="appy12125-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Eighty‐four pregnant women with gestational age above 37 weeks admitted for elective caesarian section were studied. The Spielberger State–Trait Anxiety Inventory was used to assess maternal anxiety. Maternal blood was sampled immediately before caesarean section. Cord blood sample was taken immediately after birth. Multiple regression analysis was performed.</p> </sec> <sec id="appy12125-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Maternal trait anxiety score, maternal serum cortisol, and neonatal weight were associated with the fetal cord blood cortisol (<italic>r</italic> = 0.21, <italic>P</italic> = 0.04). Bivariate correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation between maternal trait anxiety and fetal cord blood cortisol (<italic>r</italic> = 0.21, <italic>P</italic> = 0.03).</p> </sec> <sec id="appy12125-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>These data suggested that high maternal trait anxiety increases fetus cord blood cortisol and may regulate fetal growth.</p> </sec> </abstract>