Maternal cortisol output in pregnancy and newborn telomere length: Evidence for sex-specific effects.

ABSTRACT: Newborn telomere length is a potential biomarker of the effects of maternal-fetal processes on offspring long-term health. A number of maternal psychosocial and environmental factors in pregnancy (e.g., stress, health, socioeconomic status) have been associated with shortened telomere length at birth. The physiological mechanisms responsible for potential effects of maternal factors on newborn telomere length have yet to be identified. Indirect evidence suggests that disruptions in maternal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis functioning in pregnancy may be involved. Studies are needed that test whether maternal HPA axis functioning in pregnancy is associated with newborn telomere length. This study examined whether maternal HPA axis functioning across pregnancy, reflected in hair co

SUBMITTER: Bosquet Enlow M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6420355 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature