B4171 - Biopsychosocial stress in pregnancy birth outcomes motor mental health trajectories in childhood - 27/10/2022
Stress in pregnancy has been linked with adverse cognitive, motor and mental health outcomes in the offspring. In previous research studies stress has been represented by major life events, maternal mental health, economic hardship or stress biomarkers. Due to the wide variability in how stress has been quantified to date we do not know what types of stress or how much stress matters for whom and for which specific developmental outcomes. In addition, far less research has focused on sensorimotor outcomes despite the fact that the central nervous system is most vulnerable as it develops earliest in gestation and for the longest duration in-utero. Furthermore, adequate sensorimotor development may be a protective factor for later mental health. This study aims to quantify stress across biopsychosocial domains both independently and cumulatively, examining its influence on specific adverse birth outcomes (e.g. gestational age, birthweight, mode of delivery and neonatal complications), fine and gross motor trajectories in early childhood and mental health trajectories in middle/late childhood. Moderators such as infant sex, post-natal environment and activity engagement will also be considered.