Study opines that distress in pregnancy may cause schizophrenia in kids

Distress and grief in pregnant mothers can influence the mental condition and stability of the unborn child. The study was done by the group of researchers in the United States. The study revealed that women when subjected to trauma and stress can lead to bereavement during pregnancy. Disasters like hurricane, wars or sudden death of closed ones, can affect the unborn child in the womb, and the child is likely to develop schizophrenia in the later run.

This was studied by the New York University, and the research was based on the data of 88,829 people who were born in Jerusalem, during the period 1964-1976. The study has been cross referenced with the Israel national psychiatry registry.

It was learnt that, fetus that was in the 2nd month of pregnancy, at the peak time of Arab-Israel war, particularly in the year 1967, showed high rate of schizophrenia, as the kids entered adulthood.
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that affects the capability of performance, of a person’s simple task efficiently. Because the symptoms observed are bizarre, among such people, they are termed as abnormal or mentally unsound. Hallucinations, disorganized speech, delusions and negative emotions are some of the symptoms.

There are multiple factors for this. The reasons could be partly genetics, social and environmental factors, imbalance in the nervous system or even hereditary factors can also be attributed to it.
Distress can be said as one of the reason. One cannot simple state that only distress could lead to schizophrenia. The above discussed factors could also cause it. This condition manifests in adolescent stage, and if care not taken properly, can worsen the situation.

In another study, that was done in the year 2005 in UK, also claimed that over stressed mothers are more prone to anxiety. According to them, the increased level of stress hormones can affect the placenta and the baby will thus be affected in the womb that will be carried in long term. It has been seen that maternal stress can lead to the secretion of adrenaline. These hormones, can lead to uterine contractions, which in turn disturb the fetus; it further constricts the blood vessels and reduces the blood flow and oxygen to the child’s brain. All these reasons increase the complications.

Hence, it is better to take extra care among pregnant mothers, like avoiding talks of physical, emotional stress and social fears, anxiety, anger, worries etc. Even professional people recommend, antenatal classes for women, this will help in overcoming all the fears related with pregnancy and will keep them calm and relaxed.