Effect of antenatal maternal anxiety on the reactivity of fetal cerebral circulation to auditory stimulation, and early child development

Abstract

Introduction/Objective Antenatal maternal anxiety (AMA) can have negative impact on a child’s preand postnatal development. The aim of the study was to examine the effect of AMA on changes in fetal blood flow through the middle cerebral artery (MCA) after acoustic stimulation, on birth outcome, and on early child development.

Methods Forty-three women in the third trimester of pregnancy and their children were enrolled into a longitudinal prospective study. The AMA (state and trait) was assessed using Spielberger’s questionnaire. The MCA blood flow was assessed using Doppler ultrasound before and after the defined acoustic stimulus. The data regarding neonatal body weight, Apgar score, first step and word appearance, estimated speech–language (ESLD), sensory-motor (ESMD), and social-emotional (ESED) development at the age of three were collected.

Results Fetuses from mothers with high state and trait anxiety had slower reaction time and higher relative pulsatility index after defined auditory stimulation. There are more preterm deliveries, lower scores on ESLD, ESMD, and ESED in mothers with high State-Trait Anxiety Inventory personality trait (STAI-T) compared to low. There is a negative correlation between reaction time, relative pulsatility index, STAI-T and ESLD.

Conclusions High levels of antenatal maternal trait anxiety could have a negative effect on both fetal reactivity to sound stimulation and early child development.

Keywords: antenatal maternal anxiety; fetus; cerebral circulation; auditory stimulation; postnatal development