Purpose: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and preeclampsia are leading causes of mortality and morbidity in mothers and children. High childhood body mass index (BMI) is among their myriad of negative outcomes. However, little is known about the trajectory of the child BMI exposed to GDM and co-occurring preeclampsia from early to mid-childhood. This study examined the independent and joint impact of GDM and preeclampsia on childhood BMI trajectory. Methods: A population-based sample of 356 mothers were recruited from OB/GYN clinics in New York. Their children were then followed annually from 18 to 72 months. Maternal GDM and preeclampsia status were obtained from medical records. Child BMI was calculated based on their height and weight at annual visits. Results: Hierarchical Linear Modeling was used to evaluate the trajectories of child BMI exposed to GDM and preeclampsia. BMI trajectory by GDM decreased (t-ratio = −2.24, β=.45,

Background: This study investigated COVID-19 related psychological distress among expectant and new mothers, with and without infection, in metropolitan New York. It also examined the trajectories of participants' distress during pregnancy and postpartum, and the moderating effect of socioeconomic status (SES). Methods: An online survey was conducted April through June 2020 among expectant and new mothers with infants (<12 months) (N=642). Associations between infection status and psychological symptoms, suicidal ideation, and substance use were examined. Changes in distress related to COVID-19 infection and SES were then examined. Results: We found elevated anxiety and depression among infected compared to uninfected women. Similarly, infected, compared to uninfected women, had elevated risk for suicidal thoughts (quite often, AOR=3.97, sometimes AOR=13.2), and for substance use [alcohol (AOR=3.30); tobacco (AOR=4.54); cannabis (AOR=7.01); heroin (AOR=7.09); cocaine (AOR=10.05)]. Differences in trajectories of distress across pregnancy between the two groups were significant. Among infected women, distress was consistently high throughout. Among uninfected women, it started low and intensified toward the end of pregnancy. SES further moderated the impact of infection on distress. During earlier trimesters, infected/low SES women had greatest, and uninfected/high SES women had lowest, levels of distress. Their trajectories converged nearing childbirth.Conclusions: New and expectant mothers, especially those infected, have suffered substantial psychological distress due to the pandemic. Moreover, SES moderated the trajectory of distress. Infected women who also had low SES experienced the highest distress levels among all groups. Mitigating strategies are imperative to alleviate this distress.

Objective: IQ among children with various neuro-developmental disabilities (NDDs) has been found to be significantly associated with parental stress. However, research on the effects of parental stress on a child’s cognitive function has insubstantial results, particularly among children with potential Autism trait. The current study examined whether parental stress is associated with cognitive scores among children with potential Autism trait relative to children without Autism trait. A subsample of 97 mothers and their 5-year-old children was extracted from the Stress in Pregnancy Study. Mothers completed a Parenting Stress Index (PSI), reporting magnitude of stress in the parent, and an Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ10) questionnaire, disclosing possible Autism trait in their child. Children were administered the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI-IV) to assess different domains of cognitive function. A two-by-two Factorial ANOVA was conducted to compare main effects of predictors (parental stress and child’s potential Autism trait) and its interaction on child’s cognitive performance (IQ). The results showed a significant interaction toward the Children Full Scale IQ, F(1, 93)= 11.46, p= .001, Verbal Comprehension, F(1, 93)= 6.54, p= .01, Visual Spatial, F(1, 93)= 4.64, p= .03, Fluid Reasoning, F(1, 93)= 5.81, p= .02, and Working Memory, F(1, 93)= 13.25, p&lt; .001. Notably, there was an increase in cognitive function among children with potential Autism trait and higher stress parent. These findings contrasted previous literature, suggesting higher parental stress may in fact favor child intellectual outcomes.

Objective: In-utero stress, maternal suicidal ideation, and COVID-19 lockdown have the potential to effect mothers and eventually their offspring. However, research on the effects of these factors on child fear has insubstantial results. Current study explored the effects of the interaction between in-utero environmental stress related to Superstorm Sandy and postnatal suicidal ideation on child fear level during the COVID-19 pandemic. 115 mother and their children, ages 5 to 10 were recruited for the study (M = 8.62). Participants completed Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and COVID-19 related Child Fear Questionnaires. The EPDS was used to screen for maternal depressive disorders, includes a question on suicidal ideation. A two-by-two Factorial ANOVA was conducted to compare the main effects of in-utero hurricane Sandy exposure and postnatal suicidal ideation, and the interaction of the two on child fear during COVID-19 pandemic. Results showed a significant interaction of mothers’ prenatal hurricane exposure and postnatal suicidal ideation towards child fear during the pandemic, F (1, 111) = 3.77, p = .05. It also showed an elevated increase in child fear during pandemic among children with mothers that were exposed to Hurricane Sandy during pregnancy and presented postnatal suicidal ideation. These results highlighted the important of preventive strategies to mitigate postnatal distress and support families in the post-COVID-19 context.

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