Maternal worry leaves mark on unborn child

Source: Child Development 2004; 75: Not yet available online

High levels of anxiety during a specific period of pregnancy is strongly linked 
to the development of behavior problems in the resulting offspring. 

Belgian researchers have provided some of the strongest evidence so far in 
support of the theory that anxiety levels during pregnancy can influence the 
future behavior of the unborn child. 

The theory, which is known as the "fetal programming hypothesis," has been 
discussed for centuries, but has only recently become supported by scientific 
findings. 

B. van den Bergh and A. Marcoen set out to investigate the impact of high 
anxiety levels during pregnancy on the risk of attention deficit, hyperactivity, 
acting out, and anxiety disorders in the resulting child, and, in particular, 
to identify specific vulnerable periods during gestation.

The study included 71 mothers and their 72 first-born children. The mothers 
completed a questionnaire describing their anxiety levels throughout pregnancy, 
and then the behavior of their first-born children was assessed at 8 or 9 years 
of age. 

The results revealed that high levels of anxiety between 12 and 22 weeks' 
gestation, but not during the rest of pregnancy, were significantly predictive 
of childhood disorders. Indeed, anxiety at this time was a more potent predictor 
of behavior problems than both smoking during pregnancy and low birth weight, 
the team notes.

van den Bergh and Marcoen hope that the findings, in combination with previous 
research, will prompt the development of prevention and intervention programs 
for highly anxious pregnant women. 

Posted: 19 July 2004