A recent study published in Molecular Psychiatry has examined the relationship between maternal oxidative stress during pregnancy and mental disorders in early childhood. The study aimed to investigate the association between oxidative stress biomarkers and the development of emotional and behavioral problems (EBP) in children.
Childhood EBP encompasses both internalizing and externalizing problems. Internalizing problems are characterized by anxiety, depression, and somatic complaints, while externalizing problems include aggression, impulsivity, inattention, hyperactivity, and opposition. EBP affects approximately 20% of school-aged children and has a significant impact on their education, health, and quality of life.
The study focused on the influence of prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal exposure to different environmental conditions on fetal programming and long-term neuropsychiatric outcomes. It has been observed that exposure to socioeconomic adversities and other factors can lead to the development of EBP through the induction of biological pathways related to inflammation and oxidative stress.
Oxidative stress refers to an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in the body, leading to oxidative damage to macromolecules such as proteins, DNA, and RNA. The study used biomarkers of oxidative stress, specifically 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and 8-hydroxyguanine (8-OHGua), to assess oxidative damage to DNA and RNA, respectively.
Previous research has indicated that environmental factors like low socioeconomic position and prenatal lifestyle factors can influence oxidative stress, resulting in adverse neurodevelopment and mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. Maternal oxidative stress during pregnancy can also affect fetal development and maternal health through placental perfusion and malnutrition.
For this study, a cohort of 1,074 mother-infant pairs from the Barwon Infant Study (BIS) in Australia was recruited. Clinical data and urine samples from the mothers were collected at various time points during pregnancy and early childhood. The urine samples were analyzed to detect oxidative stress biomarkers using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.
Childhood EBP was assessed using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). The CBCL consisted of 99 items, scored on a Likert scale, which captured various behavioral and emotional problems in children.
The findings of the study revealed that higher levels of the oxidative RNA damage biomarker, 8-OHGua, during pregnancy were positively correlated with total EBP in children at the ages of two and four years. However, there was no significant association observed between the oxidative DNA damage biomarker, 8-OHdG, and childhood EBP.
It was observed that increased levels of 8-OHdG were strongly associated with EBP, particularly symptoms of anxiety and depression, in early childhood. However, after adjusting for potential confounding factors, the association between 8-OHdG and total EBP estimates was not significant. This indicates that the predictive capacity of this biomarker for later EBP in children is limited.
The study also identified several modifiable risk factors for EBP, including lower maternal education, socioeconomic disadvantage, tobacco smoking, and prescription medication use during pregnancy. Furthermore, maternal oxidative stress biomarker levels during pregnancy were strongly associated with increased depressive symptoms in early childhood.
In conclusion, the study highlights the significant influence of social and prenatal lifestyle factors on the development of EBP in children. It reveals that higher levels of the maternal oxidative RNA damage biomarker, 8-OHGua, during pregnancy are associated with the manifestation of EBP in early childhood. The findings provide valuable insights into the role of maternal oxidative stress during pregnancy in the fetal programming of mental disorders. Further research and understanding of these mechanisms can help in the development of effective preventive strategies and treatments for childhood mental disorders.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
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