Published in Scientific Reports, the findings spotlight the underappreciated link between the mental health of pregnant mothers and the health of the placenta — a critical organ that develops during pregnancy to nourish and protect babies. The long-term neurodevelopmental impact on their children is under investigation.
"During the pandemic, mothers were exposed to a litany of negative stressors including social distancing, fear of dying, financial insecurity and more," said Catherine Limperopoulos, Ph.D., chief and director of the Developing Brain Institute, which led the research.
Comment: Many were also unable to receive health and social care assistance because institutions had diverted all their resources to deal with a relatively harmless virus.
"We now know that this vital organ was changed for many mothers, and it's essential that we continue to investigate the impact this may have had on children who were born during this global public health crisis."
Comment: See also: