Children born to mothers who experience severe stress or depression during or after pregnancy may be at greater risk for autism, new research from Japan shows.
According to this new research from Japan, it highlights the crucial role of maternal health in children’s early development.
The study analyzed data from more than 23,000 mothers and their children, and examined how maternal depression affected child development.
Researchers found a vivid link between mental stress in the mother and an increased risk of autism-like symptoms in children.
To strengthen the evidence, scientists also conducted biological experiments on mice, which supported the link between maternal stress and developmental changes related to autism.
While boys generally showed more autism-like symptoms regardless of their mother’s mental health, the effects of maternal depression were especially pronounced in girls.
Girls exposed to maternal depression were more likely to be born with low birth weight and showed weaker emotional bonds with their mothers.
The study found that boys showed more autism-like traits than girls across the board, regardless of whether their mothers had depression.
According to the report, mental stress affects levels of oxytocin, a hormone essential for bonding and social behavior. Disruptions in oxytocin may help explain the biological pathway linking maternal depression to autism risk.
Another study of more than 140,000 pregnant women found that taking antidepressants during the second and third trimesters nearly doubled the risk of autism in children.
These findings have reignited the debate over the diagnosis of autism, particularly the underdiagnosis of autism in girls, and the need to closely monitor mental health treatments during pregnancy.
