Maternal anxiety: its effect on the fetus and the child

There is good evidence that symptoms of anxiety and depression are more common during pregnancy than in the postnatal period. In addition, pregnancy is a period during which stresses between partners and domestic violence may be elevated. Recent research suggests that the stresses and strains that women experience in pregnancy can have long-term adverse effects on the fetus and the child. Stress/anxiety during pregnancy can double the risk of a range of emotional, behavioural and cognitive problems. There is a wide variation in outcome among exposed children; current research seeks to clarify the interaction between prenatal stress/anxiety, genetic vulnerabilities and postnatal risk exposures and protective factors. Although such research is important, it is clear that there are immediate practical applications of the findings so far. There needs to be appropriate prenatal screening and intervention. It should be possible to significantly reduce the incidence of child neurodevelopmental disorder.