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Prenatal anger effects on the fetus and neonate.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Field, T; Diego, M; Hernandez-Reif, M; Salman, F; Schanberg, S; Kuhn, C; Yando, R; Bendell, D
Published in: J Obstet Gynaecol
May 2002

One hundred and sixty-six women were classified as experiencing high or low anger during the second trimester of pregnancy. The high-anger women also had high scores on depression and anxiety scales. In a follow-up across pregnancy, the fetuses of the high-anger women were noted to be more active and to experience growth delays. The high-anger mothers' high prenatal cortisol and adrenaline and low dopamine and serotonin levels were mimicked by their neonates' high cortisol and low dopamine levels. The high-anger mothers and infants were also similar on their relative right frontal EEG activation and their low vagal tone. Finally, the newborns of high-anger mothers had disorganised sleep patterns (greater indeterminate sleep and more state changes) and less optimal performance on the Brazelton Neonatal Behavior Assessment Scale (orientation, motor maturity and depression). These data highlight the need for prenatal intervention for elevated angry mood during pregnancy.

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Published In

J Obstet Gynaecol

DOI

ISSN

0144-3615

Publication Date

May 2002

Volume

22

Issue

3

Start / End Page

260 / 266

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Pregnancy Trimester, Second
  • Pregnancy
  • Obstetrics & Reproductive Medicine
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant Behavior
  • Humans
  • Fetal Movement
  • Female
  • Embryonic and Fetal Development
  • Anger
 

Citation

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Field, T., Diego, M., Hernandez-Reif, M., Salman, F., Schanberg, S., Kuhn, C., … Bendell, D. (2002). Prenatal anger effects on the fetus and neonate. J Obstet Gynaecol, 22(3), 260–266. https://doi.org/10.1080/01443610220130526
Field, Tiffany, M. Diego, Maria Hernandez-Reif, F. Salman, S. Schanberg, Cynthia Kuhn, Regina Yando, and Debra Bendell. “Prenatal anger effects on the fetus and neonate.J Obstet Gynaecol 22, no. 3 (May 2002): 260–66. https://doi.org/10.1080/01443610220130526.
Field T, Diego M, Hernandez-Reif M, Salman F, Schanberg S, Kuhn C, et al. Prenatal anger effects on the fetus and neonate. J Obstet Gynaecol. 2002 May;22(3):260–6.
Field, Tiffany, et al. “Prenatal anger effects on the fetus and neonate.J Obstet Gynaecol, vol. 22, no. 3, May 2002, pp. 260–66. Pubmed, doi:10.1080/01443610220130526.
Field T, Diego M, Hernandez-Reif M, Salman F, Schanberg S, Kuhn C, Yando R, Bendell D. Prenatal anger effects on the fetus and neonate. J Obstet Gynaecol. 2002 May;22(3):260–266.
Journal cover image

Published In

J Obstet Gynaecol

DOI

ISSN

0144-3615

Publication Date

May 2002

Volume

22

Issue

3

Start / End Page

260 / 266

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Pregnancy Trimester, Second
  • Pregnancy
  • Obstetrics & Reproductive Medicine
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant Behavior
  • Humans
  • Fetal Movement
  • Female
  • Embryonic and Fetal Development
  • Anger