Prenatal hair cortisol concentrations during the COVID-19 outbreak: Associations with maternal psychological stress and infant temperament

Bruinhof, Nina; Vacaru, Stefania V.; Heuvel, Marion I. van den; Weerth, Carolina de; Beijers, Roseriet

doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2022.105863

Cited by 12 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 61 publications

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“…Meta-analytic evidence of studies conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted that pregnant women experienced high levels of distress during this global traumatic experience [ 17 ] and that this might associate with stress-related biological alterations for both mothers [ 18 , 19 ] and infants [ 4 , 20 ]. A US-based study reported that pregnant women who experienced high levels of pandemic-related stress had also adverse perinatal outcomes [ 21 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Maternal pandemic-related stress during pregnancy associates with infants’ socio-cognitive development at 12 months: A longitudinal multi-centric study

et al. 2023

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Background Prenatal maternal stress is a key risk factor for infants’ development. Previous research has highlighted consequences for infants’ socio-emotional and cognitive outcomes, but less is known for what regards socio-cognitive development. In this study, we report on the effects of maternal prenatal stress related to the COVID-19 pandemic on 12-month-old infants’ behavioral markers of socio-cognitive development. Methods Ninety infants and their mothers provided complete longitudinal data from birth to 12 months. At birth, mothers reported on pandemic-related stress during pregnancy. At infants’ 12-month-age, a remote mother-infant interaction was videotaped: after an initial 2-min face-to-face episode, the experimenter remotely played a series of four auditory stimuli (2 human and 2 non-human sounds). The auditory stimuli sequence was counterbalanced among participants and each sound was repeated three times every 10 seconds (Exposure, 30 seconds) while mothers were instructed not to interact with their infants and to display a neutral still-face expression. Infants’ orienting, communication, and pointing toward the auditory source was coded micro-analytically and a socio-cognitive score (SCS) was obtained by means of a principal component analysis. Results Infants equally oriented to human and non-human auditory stimuli. All infants oriented toward the sound during the Exposure episode, 80% exhibited any communication directed to the auditory source, and 48% showed at least one pointing toward the sound. Mothers who reported greater prenatal pandemic-related stress had infants with higher probability of showing no communication, t = 2.14 (p = .035), or pointing, t = 1.93 (p = .057). A significant and negative linear association was found between maternal prenatal pandemic-related stress and infants’ SCS at 12 months, R2 = .07 (p = .010), while adjusting for potential confounders. Conclusions This study suggests that prenatal maternal stress during the COVID-19 pandemic might have increased the risk of an altered socio-cognitive development in infants as assessed through an observational paradigm at 12 months. Special preventive attention should be devoted to infants born during the pandemic.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Maternal pandemic-related stress during pregnancy associates with infants’ socio-cognitive development at 12 months: A longitudinal multi-centric study

et al. 2023

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“…In light of the most recent disastrous events, findings from the United States reported increases in adolescents’ HCC from prepandemic to the period throughout the first 4 months after the outbreak (Fung et al., 2022), suggesting that the start of the pandemic may have altered basic neuroendocrine processes. Similar evidence emerged in adults from the United Kingdom (Jia et al., 2023; Rajcani et al., 2021) and the Netherlands (Bruinhof et al., 2022). However, these stress responses may impact individuals differently depending on sex and prior stress history.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 55%

Adolescents’ hair cortisol concentrations during COVID‐19: Evidence from two longitudinal studies in the Netherlands and the United States

Vacaru,

Parenteau,

et al. 2023

Developmental Psychobiology

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Background: Prolonged stress exposure is associated with alterations in cortisol output. The COVID‐19 pandemic represented a stressor for many, including children. However, a high‐quality caregiving environment may protect against psychological problems and possibly against elevations in cortisol. We examined adolescents’ physiological stress responses to the pandemic and the role of attachment in two longitudinal samples from the Netherlands and the United States (https://aspredicted.org/HHY_8MK). Methods: Cortisol was assessed from hair samples before and during the pandemic, while attachment was self‐reported prepandemic. Study 1 included a Dutch sample (N = 158; examined at ages 10 and later at 14 years old), whereas Study 2 included a US sample (N = 153; examined at ages 9–11 and again 2 years later) and an age‐matched prepandemic sample (N = 29, 10–13 years old). Repeated‐measures analyses of variance examined changes in cortisol from prepandemic to during the pandemic and the effect of attachment in each sample separately. Results: After accounting for age, both studies revealed nonsignificant changes in hair cortisol and a nonsignificant effect of attachment. A significant effect of sex emerged in Study 1, with Dutch girls showing a significant cortisol increase during the pandemic, which was not explained by puberty. Conclusion: These findings suggest differential associations of the pandemic with hair cortisol increases by sex and country.

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“…46 However, evidence has been inconsistent on the association between psychological stress and prenatal cortisol levels, which have been found only weakly or not correlated. 45,47,48 In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, studies have shown no association between the levels of hair/umbilical cortisol and self-perceived stress in pregnant individuals during their pregnancy. 45,47 In fact, lower levels of cortisol in the umbilical cord blood have been observed at delivery in pregnant individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic even if they had higher stress levels.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Heightened cortisol levels have often been associated with acute stress 46 . However, evidence has been inconsistent on the association between psychological stress and prenatal cortisol levels, which have been found only weakly or not correlated 45,47,48 . In the context of the COVID‐19 pandemic, studies have shown no association between the levels of hair/umbilical cortisol and self‐perceived stress in pregnant individuals during their pregnancy 45,47 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…45,47,48 In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, studies have shown no association between the levels of hair/umbilical cortisol and self-perceived stress in pregnant individuals during their pregnancy. 45,47 In fact, lower levels of cortisol in the umbilical cord blood have been observed at delivery in pregnant individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic even if they had higher stress levels. 45 In our study, no change in cortisol levels was observed, except for decreased levels in vaccinated individuals.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Pregnant individuals with uncomplicated pregnancies display pro‐inflammatory immune changes when exposed to the COVID‐19 pandemic

Bernier,

Brien,

Girard

2024

American J Rep Immunol

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ProblemThe COVID‐19 pandemic has been shown to have a detrimental impact on the mental health of pregnant individuals, and chronic stress can alter the immune profile. However, the effects of the COVID‐19 pandemic on the immune system in pregnancy are still poorly understood. We aimed to evaluate the impact of pandemic exposure on the maternal immune profile in uncomplicated pregnancies.Method of studyWe collected blood and placenta samples from pregnant individuals exposed and unexposed to the pandemic to compare their immune and inflammatory profiles. We performed co‐culture with circulating maternal immune cells and endothelial cells to assess endothelial activation. Statistical analysis was performed using unpaired t‐test, Mann‐Whitney, or Fisher's exact test as appropriate.ResultsIn exposed individuals, we observed a decreased proportion of Th2 cells (p < .0001) and Treg/Th17 ratio (p < .05), as well as an increased Th1/Th2 ratio (p < .0001). Levels of IL‐1β (p < .01) and IL‐18 (p < .01) were increased in the circulation of exposed participants, whilst other mediators were significantly decreased (IFNγ, IL‐8, MCP‐1, amongst others). Furthermore, we observed increased production of ICAM, hallmark of endothelial activation, when we co‐cultured endothelial cells with immune cells from exposed individuals. Vaccination status impacted the cellular profile with increased proportions of Th1 and B cells in vaccinated participants.ConclusionOverall, we observed a pro‐inflammatory bias in the circulation of pregnant individuals exposed to the COVID‐19 pandemic, with otherwise uncomplicated pregnancies. Our work also supports an association between the increased risk of endothelial activation/hypertension and SARS‐CoV2 infection, which might be driven in part by exposure to the pandemic and associated stressors.

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Prenatal hair cortisol concentrations during the COVID-19 outbreak: Associations with maternal psychological stress and infant temperament

Cited by 12 publications

References 61 publications

Maternal pandemic-related stress during pregnancy associates with infants’ socio-cognitive development at 12 months: A longitudinal multi-centric study

Maternal pandemic-related stress during pregnancy associates with infants’ socio-cognitive development at 12 months: A longitudinal multi-centric study

Adolescents’ hair cortisol concentrations during COVID‐19: Evidence from two longitudinal studies in the Netherlands and the United States

Pregnant individuals with uncomplicated pregnancies display pro‐inflammatory immune changes when exposed to the COVID‐19 pandemic

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