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Recent evidence, both animal and human, suggests that modifiable factors during fetal and infant development predispose for cardiovascular disease in adult life and that they may become possible future targets for prevention. One of these factors is maternal psychosocial stress, but so far, few prospective studies have been able to investigate the...
Citations
... On the other hand, it is possible to underestimate the risk in children who, despite their relatively low body weight, have a high fat content dangerous to health [38]. The lack of unambiguous results regarding the relationship of prenatal stress with the occurrence of overweight and obesity may partly result from the use of BMI [29][30][31][32][33][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46] that is difficult to interpret in research, while the level of adipose tissue in this context has rarely been studied [47][48][49][50]. ...
... The most frequently used criterion was the IOTF [29,31,33,39,43,45,68] or CDC [41], both of which are based on BMI. If a study referred to a body composition, the percentage of adipose tissue [47,50] or FMI [48,49] were assessed. As in the case of our study, the results of studies focusing on the content of adipose tissue mostly indicate a relationship between prenatal stress and an increase in the amount of adipose tissue in children [47,69]. ...
... Some inconsistent results of the previous research may also be caused by different methods of assessing prenatal stress. In most of the studies prenatal stress was examined during pregnancy and after a few years the anthropometric indicators in children were checked [31,39,48,69]. However, there were also studies based on the survey filled in by the parents/caregivers retrospectively [33] which may have resulted in not remembering adverse life events that had Content courtesy of Springer Nature, terms of use apply. ...
Background
One of the environmental factors contributing to abnormal weight changes in children may be maternal exposure to adverse environmental factors during pregnancy, which in previous studies led to inconclusive results showing both overweight or obesity and underweight in children. The aim of the study was to assess the influence of prenatal stress on the BMI status and cut-off points for the percentage of fat content.
Methods
The cohort study included 254 girls and 276 boys. Information on prenatal stress was collected retrospectively with a questionnaire on objective adverse events completed by a parent/guardian of a 6–12-year-old child. We examined the body weight of children and performed an electrical bioimpedance analysis of their body composition. We assessed the BMI status according to the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) criterion and on the basis of body fat according to McCarthy criterion.
Results
The results of our study show that the prenatal stress was related to increased risk of overweight (OR 2.14, 95% CI: 1.25–3.65) diagnosed on the basis of body fat cut-off points, but not when the BMI was a diagnostic criterion (OR 1.03, 95% CI: 0.58–1.83).
Conclusion
The method of diagnosis based on the fat content appears to be an indicator of the occurrence of abnormalities in body composition due to prenatal stress more sensitive than that based on the BMI.
Level of evidence
Level III evidence obtained from well-designed cohort or case–control analytic studies.
... On the other hand, it is possible to underestimate the risk in children who, despite their relatively low body weight, have a high fat content dangerous to health [29]. The lack of unambiguous results regarding the relationship of prenatal stress with the occurrence of overweight and obesity may partly result from the use of BMI [20][21][22][23][24][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37] that is di cult to interpret in research, while the level of adipose tissue in this context hafs rarely been studied [38][39][40][41]. ...
... Some inconsistent results of the previous research may also be caused by different methods of assessing prenatal stress. In most of the studies prenatal stress was examined during pregnancy and after a few years the anthropometric indicators in children were checked [22,30,39,54]. However, there were also studies based on the survey lled in by the parents/caregivers retrospectively [24] which may have resulted in not remembering adverse life events that had occurred in the past. ...
Background
Overweight and obesity in children have a negative impact not only on the physical development but also on the mental health of children. That is why researchers are constantly looking for possible causes of such high frequency of this phenomenon. One of the environmental factors contributing to abnormal weight changes in children may be maternal exposure to adverse environmental factors during pregnancy, which in previous studies led to inconclusive results showing both overweight and obesity and underweight in children. The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between prenatal stress and body weight status. Methods
The cohort study included 254 girls and 276 boys. Information on prenatal stress was collected with a questionnaire completed by a parent/guardian of a 6–12-year-old child. We assessed the body mass status on the basis of BMI according to the IOTF criterion and on the basis of body fat according to McCarthy criterion. ResultsThe results of our study show that the prenatal stress was related to increased risk of overweight (OR 2.14, 95%CI: 1.25-3.65) diagnosed on the basis of body fat cut-off points, but not when the BMI was a diagnostic criterion (OR 1.03, 95%CI:0.58-1.83). Conclusion
The method of diagnosis based on the fat content appears to be an indicator of the occurrence of abnormalities in body composition due to prenatal stress more sensitive than that based on the BMI. Level of evidence: Evidence obtained from well-designed cohort or case-control analytic studies
... Details of measurements have been described elsewhere. [28][29][30][31] Calculation and standardization of variables in ABCD study cohort were performed in the same way as in the GECKO Drenthe study cohort. ...
Background
There is still uncertainty about the nature and relative impact of early determinants on childhood blood pressure. This study explored determinants of blood pressure at the age of 6 years in 2 Dutch birth cohorts.
Methods and Results
Results of hierarchical multiple linear regression analyses in GECKO (Groningen Expert Center for Kids With Obesity) Drenthe study (n=1613) were replicated in ABCD (Amsterdam Born Children and Their Development) study (n=2052). All analyses were adjusted for child's age, sex, height, and body mass index (BMI), and maternal education and subsequently performed in the combined sample. No associations were found between maternal smoking during pregnancy and childhood blood pressure. In the total sample, maternal prepregnancy BMI was positively associated with systolic blood pressure (SBP) (β [95% CI], 0.09 [0.02–0.16] mm Hg) and diastolic blood pressure (β [95% CI], 0.11 [0.04–0.17] mm Hg). Children of women with hypertension had higher SBP (β [95% CI], 0.98 [0.17–1.79] mm Hg). Birth weight standardized for gestational age was inversely associated with SBP (β [95% CI], −6.93 [−9.25 to −4.61] mm Hg) and diastolic blood pressure (β [95% CI], −3.65 [−5.70 to −1.61] mm Hg). Longer gestational age was associated with lower SBP (β [95% CI] per week, −0.25 [−0.42 to −0.08] mm Hg). Breastfeeding for 1 to 3 months was associated with lower SBP (β [95% CI], −0.96 [−1.82 to −0.09] mm Hg) compared with no or <1 month of breastfeeding. Early BMI gain from the age of 2 to 6 years was positively associated with SBP (β [95% CI], 0.41 [0.08–0.74] mm Hg) and diastolic blood pressure (β [95% CI], 0.37 [0.07–0.66] mm Hg), but no effect modification by birth weight was found.
Conclusions
Higher maternal prepregnancy BMI, maternal hypertension, a relatively lower birth weight for gestational age, shorter gestational age, limited duration of breastfeeding, and more rapid early BMI gain contribute to higher childhood blood pressure at the age of 6 years.
... [26]. The procedure of this measurement during the 5e6 year health check-up has been described in detail previously [27]. In short, to start, the child was assessed in supine position after stabilization of 1 min, and registration lasted between 4 and 6.5 min. ...
Background & aims
The prenatal environment, including availability of critical nutrients, has a profound impact on offspring development. The present study examined the association between maternal long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LC-PUFA) status during pregnancy and later child behavioral problems at the age of 5–6 years. In light of evidence of autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysregulation in some behavioral problems, study further tested if the above association is statistically mediated by cardiac ANS activity.
Methods
Data was collected as part of the Amsterdam Born Children and their Development-study and complete data were available for 1717 mothers and their offspring. Maternal LC-PUFA status was assessed during early pregnancy (mean gestation = 12.7, SD = 2.5 weeks) and quantified as levels of docosahexenoic acid (DHA), arachidonic acid (AA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), as well as the ratio of n-6:n-3 fatty acids. Child emotional problems and peer problems (internalizing problems), as well as conduct problems and inattention/hyperactivity (externalizing problems), were assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire as rated by the mother and teacher at 5–6 years. Child cardiac respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), pre-ejection period (PEP), and heart rate (HR) were utilized as measures of ANS activity at 5–6 years.
Results
The results confirmed an association between maternal LC-PUFA status and internalizing behavioral problems as rated by the mother, as shown for DHA (β = −0.11;p < 0.01), EPA (β = -0.22;p < 0.05), and n-6:n-3 LC-PUFA (β = 0.17;p < 0.01). Statistical mediation was only demonstrated for HR. No associations were observed between LC-PUFA status and externalizing behavioral problems.
Conclusions
The present results are consistent with a role of maternal LC-PUFA status in internalizing behavioral problems as rated by the mother. These results were not observed when problem behavior was rated by the teacher. Analyses did not yield strong evidence supporting ANS activity as a possible mediator in this relationship.
... Height was measured to the nearest millimetre using a Leicester portable height measure (Seca), and weight to the nearest 100 g using a Marsden weighing scale (model MS-4102). 32 The agreement between the two registration for height and weight could be estimated in 1531 children who were measured during the ABCD health check as well as by YHC professionals within 1 year. The intra class correlation (ICC) of height was 0.83 and for weight 0.90 which indicate good to excellent agreement. ...
Introduction
Children from minority groups are at increased risk of overweight. This study compared BMI growth patterns from birth onwards of boys and girls with overweight at 5‐6 years, according to socioeconomic status (SES) and country of origin, in order to gain more insight into the critical periods of growth to overweight.
Methods
A total of 3714 singletons of the multi‐ethnic ABCD study were included. Within children with overweight at age 5‐6 years (N = 487, prevalence boys: 11.6%, girls: 14.6%), BMI growth patterns from birth onwards (12.8 serial measurements; SD = 3.1) were compared between children from European (69.4%) and non‐European mothers (30.6%), and between children from low (20.8%), mid (37.0%) or high SES (42.2%), based on maternal educational level.
Results
BMI growth to overweight did not differ between children of European or non‐European mothers, but it did differ according to maternal SES. Children with overweight in the low and mid SES group had a lower BMI in the first 2 years of life, an earlier adiposity rebound and increased in BMI more rapidly after age 2, resulting in a higher BMI at age 7 years compared to children with overweight in the high SES group [∆BMI (kg/m²) between high and low SES: boys 1.43(95%CI:0.16;3.01) and girls 1.91(0.55;3.27)].
Conclusion
Children with overweight from low SES have an early adiposity rebound and accelerated growth to a higher BMI at age 5‐6 years compared to children with overweight from the high SES group. These results imply that timing of critical periods for overweight development is earlier in children with a low socioeconomic background as compared to other children.
... Two weeks before the health check, the women got a notifying letter and a self-administered 71-item Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). 17 Between 2008 and 2010, 3320 children of the age 5 to 6 had a health check, which included various health measurements. 18 Filled out FFQs were send back by 2782 of the children. ...
... Health measurements relevant for this research were described more in detail elsewhere. 17 Anthropometric measurements included height and weight. The children were asked to wear clothing appropriate for physical activity and no footwear. ...
... BP was measured during the physical checkup by qualified staff of the Amsterdam Medical Center, according to a standardized procedure. 17 First, a test measurement was performed when the child was lying down in supine position on an examination bed. This was then followed by 4 minutes of rest. ...
There is limited evidence on association between adherence to the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH diet) and a lower blood pressure (BP) in children. In a population-based cohort study, among 1068 Dutch children aged 5 to 7, we evaluated the association between a DASH-type diet, 29 known genetic variants incorporated in a genetic risk score, and their interaction on BP. We calculated DASH score based on the food intake data measured through a validated 71-item food frequency questionnaire. In our sample, DASH score ranged from 9 (low adherence to the DASH diet) to 33 (median=21), and genetic score ranged from 18 (low genetic risk on high BP) to 41 (median=29). After adjustment for covariates, each 10 unit increase in DASH score was associated with a lower systolic BP of 0.7 mm Hg (P=0.033). DASH score was negatively associated with hypertension (odds ratio=0.96 [0.92-0.99], P=0.044). Similarly, each SD increment in genetic score was associated with 0.5 mm Hg higher diastolic BP (P=0.002). We found a positive interaction between low DASH score and high genetic score on diastolic BP adjusted for BP risk factors (β=1.52, Pinteraction=0.019 in additive scale and β=0.03, Pinteraction=0.021 in multiplicative scale). Our findings show that adherence to the DASH-type diet, as well as a low (adult-derived) genetic risk profile for BP, is associated with lower BP in children and that the genetic basis of BP phenotypes at least partly overlaps between adults and children. In addition, we found evidence of a gene-diet interaction on BP in children.
... The Amsterdam Born Children and their Development (ABCD) study is a prospective observational cohort study that aims to investigate the associations between early life conditions and children's development and health [10]. The study was approved by the medical ethics review commissions of the participating medical centers. ...
... The child was measured during rest in supine position for seven minutes. Pre-ejection period (PEP) and HR were used as indicators for SNS activity and respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) for PNS activity [10]. ...
... Our data also provides support for a potential mechanism underlying the association between a high SSB intake and increased BP and in particular SBP. We found a decrease of PEP at age 11/12 in children with high SSB intake, which indicates an increased SNS activity [10]. This might suggest that a high intake of fructose, found in SSBs, leads to an increase of SNS activity and thereby increases SBP. ...
Introduction:
Research in adults shows high intakes of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) increases blood pressure (BP), however evidence in children is scarce and inconclusive. No studies have investigated autonomic nervous system (ANS) activation due to SSBs in children. Our aim was to investigate the associations between SSBs intake, BP and ANS activation in children.
Methods:
Cross-sectional data collected in 2008-2010 at age 5/6 (n = 2519) and in 2015-2016 at age 11/12 (n = 769) years in the Amsterdam Born Children and their Development-study were analyzed in 2017. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), as well as pre-ejection period (PEP; sympathetic activation) and respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA; parasympathetic activation) were measured during supine position. SSBs intake was self-reported.
Results:
After adjustments for covariates, including weight status, no associations between SSBs intake, BP and ANS measures were found at age 5/6. At age 11/12, one serving/day increase in SSBs was associated with 0.8 mmHg increase in SBP (95%CI:0.4; 1.2), 0.3 mmHg increase in DBP (0.0; 0.5) and 0.9 msec decrease in PEP (-1.5;-0.2). Children in the highest SSBs tertile had an increase of 2.3 mmHg in SBP (0.7; 4.0) and a decrease of 3.6 msec in PEP (-6.7;-0.6) compared to children in the lowest tertile.
Conclusion:
In children aged 11/12, high intake of SSBs was associated with increased BP, which might be due to increased sympathetic nervous system activation. Importantly, these associations were independent of weight status.
... The system records three lead electro car- diograms (ECG) and four lead impedance cardiograms (ICG) (Ultratrace Diagnostic ECG with wet gel; ConMed Corporation, Utica, New York, United States of America). The proce- dure of this measurement has been extensively described previously [21]. In short, ECG and respiratory activity were recorded during the day between 8:30 am and 16:30 pm in supine and sitting positions. ...
Objective
Early life stress has been shown to influence the developing autonomic nervous system. Stressors in infancy may program the autonomic nervous system resting state set point, affecting cardiovascular function in later life. Excessive crying may be an indicator of increased stress arousal in infancy. We hypothesized that excessive infant crying is related to altered cardiac autonomic nervous system activity and increased blood pressure at age 5–6 years.
Methods
In the Amsterdam Born Children and their Development study, excessive crying, maternal burden of infant care and maternal aggressive behavior in the 13th week after birth (range 11–16 weeks) were reported using questionnaires. Blood pressure, heart rate, heart rate variability and indicators of cardiac autonomic nervous system activity (sympathetic drive by pre-ejection period, parasympathetic drive by respiratory sinus arrhythmia) were measured at age 5–6 years during rest. Inclusion criteria were singleton birth, term-born, and no reported congenital or cardiovascular problems (N = 2153 included).
Results
Excessive crying (2.8%) was not associated with resting heart rate, heart rate variability, pre-ejection period, respiratory sinus arrhythmia nor with blood pressure at age 5–6 years.
Conclusions
Excessive infant crying as an indicator of increased stress arousal does not seem to be related to resting activity of the autonomic nervous system or blood pressure at age 5–6. Potential associations may become visible under stressed conditions.
... Excess circulating cortisol and its disruption of glucoregulatory mechanisms is thought to lead to hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance, which promotes the development of diabetes and cardiovascular disease (Brown et al., 2004). Indeed, animal and human studies have suggested that exposure to maternal stress even in the prenatal period may represent very early modifiable risk factors during fetal and infant development that predispose offspring to cardiovascular disease in adult life; these risk factors are targets for prevention (van Dijk et al., 2010). Early and serious stress exposure is increasingly being shown to result in metabolic consequences. ...
Depression, together with insulin resistance, is increasingly prevalent among youth. These conditions have traditionally been compartmentalized, but recent evidence suggests that a shared brain motivational network underlies their co-occurrence. We posit that, in the context of depressive symptoms, insulin resistance is associated with aberrant structure and functional connectivity in the Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC) and hippocampus. This motivational neural circuit underlies dysfunctional behavioral responses and increased sensitivity to rewarding aspects of ingesting high calorie food that lead to disinhibition of eating even when satiated. To investigate this shared mechanism, we evaluated a sample of forty-two depressed and overweight (BMI > 85th%) youth aged 9 to 17. Using ACC and hippocampus structural and seed-based regions of interest, we investigated associations between insulin resistance, depression, structure (ACC thickness, and ACC and hippocampal area), and resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC). We predicted that aberrant associations among these neural and behavioral characteristics would be stronger in insulin resistant compared to insulin sensitive youth. We found that youth with greater insulin resistance had higher levels of anhedonia and more food seeking behaviors, reduced hippocampal and ACC volumes, and greater levels of ACC and hippocampal dysconnectivity to fronto-limbic reward networks at rest. For youth with high levels of insulin resistance, thinner ACC and smaller hippocampal volumes were associated with more severe depressive symptoms, whereas the opposite was true for youth with low levels of insulin resistance. The ACC-hippocampal motivational network that subserves depression and insulin resistance separately, may represent a critical neural interaction that link these syndromes together.
... As a result, the possibility of actions that endanger the health of the woman and her fetus, such as smoking, alcohol, lack of referring to health centers to receive prenatal care increases. Thus, in a reverse cycle, the process of pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum would go under degrading (19,20). In our study, there was a statistically significant association between physical violence during pregnancy and LBW, and it is consistent with Faramarzy, Dolatian and Nojoomy research (8, 12, 18). ...
Background
Pregnancy by itself, imposes great physical and psychological pressures on a person and consequently, coupled with other stressors such as violence, can have adverse effects on the fetus and mother.
Objective
To assess the prevalence of domestic violence in pregnant women and maternal and infants’ outcomes.
Methods
This is a descriptive study using a questionnaire. Data were collected from 725 women who delivered their babies at Shariati Hospital in Bandar Abbas in the summer and autumn of 2013. The questionnaire consisted of four parts: demographic characteristics, factors affecting violence, areas of violence (physical, emotional, sexual) and maternal and fetal outcomes. Data analysis was performed by SPSS 18 using descriptive statistics, t-test, Chi-square, and logistic regression.
Results
The prevalence of physical, sexual and psychological violence were 6.5, 14.8 and 9.9 %, respectively. The variables of age, duration of marriage, previous marriage experience and the husband’s addiction, had a significant relationship with applying physical violence of the husband. There was significant correlation between physical violence and maternal outcomes (p<0.000). There was a statistically significant association between physical violence and low birth weight and growth delay in the uterus (p=0.033).
Conclusion
Due to the relatively high violence in pregnancy, and its impact on maternal and neonatal outcomes, it is suggested that violence screening programs in the health system and educating health professionals and women at risk and also the implementation of programs to protect these women, can be effective in reducing the cycle of violence and its negative consequences.
