Impact of COVID-19 related maternal stress on fetal brain development: A Multimodal MRI study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Disruptions in perinatal care and support due to the COVID-19 pandemic was an unprecedented but significant stressor among pregnant women. Various neurostructural differences have been re-ported among fetuses and infants born during the pandemic compared to pre-pandemic counterparts. The relationship between maternal stress due to pandemic related disruptions and fetal brain is yet unexamined.

Methods

Pregnant participants with healthy pregnancies were prospectively recruited in 2020-2022 in the greater Los Angeles Area. Participants completed multiple self-report assessments for experiences of pandemic related disruptions, perceived stress, and coping behaviors and underwent fetal MRI. Maternal perceived stress exposures were correlated with quantitative multimod

SUBMITTER: Rajagopalan V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9628193 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature