How early-life adversity gets under the skin

TheScienceBreaker | Science meets Society

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Break submission by Joanne Ryan, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Cancer and Disease Epigenetics, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute (MCRI), Melbourne, Australia

Many women experience mental health problems during pregnancy and this can have health consequences for the unborn child. Indeed, a wealth of research findings have now shown that women with depression and anxiety in pregnancy are more likely to give birth prematurely, to have a smaller birthweight baby and their child is more likely to experience developmental delays. It is not yet clear exactly why this occurs, but determining the biological mechanisms involved is essential if we want to prevent or reduce the harmful effects being passed from mother to child. (read the Break on theScienceBreaker)