Stress During Pregnancy and the Development of Diseases in the offspring: A Systematic-Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Objective The goal of this systematic-review and meta-analysis was to assess whether high maternal stress during pregnancy is associated with the development of pediatric pathology. Design Epidemiological peer-reviewed studies published in English or Spanish assessing associations between maternal stress during pregnancy and psychiatric and medical diseases were selected. Participants We retrieved 73,024 citations; 42 studies meeting inclusion criteria were assessed. Overall sample included 65,814,076 women. Findings Overall odds ratio for the development of a medical disease was OR=1.24 (CI95=1.11, 1.39), Z=3.85, p<.01. Overall odds ratio for psychiatric disorders was OR=1.28 (CI95=1.06, 1.56), Z=2.54, p<.02. Multivariate meta-analysis showed a significant coefficient for autism spectrum disorder studies, B=0.42, SE=0.16, Z=2.67, p<.01. We found a significant overall effect size for autism spectrum disorder (OR=1.45 [CI95=1.24, 1.70], Z=4.69, p<.01). In terms of medical diseases, studies including obesity and infantile colic presented a significant overall effect size, as OR=1.20 (CI95=1.03, 1.39), Z=2.41, p<.02. The highest effect size was found regarding the first trimester (B=1.62, SE=0.16, Z=9.90, p<.01). Key conclusions We concluded that exposure to high levels of stress during pregnancy are associated with autism spectrum disorder, obesity, and infantile colic in offspring. Implications for practice Maternal stress during pregnancy should be addressed to tackle its potential impact in health across the life span.