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A new study published in JAMA Network Open reveals that children born to mothers who experienced obesity or eating disorders before or during pregnancy may face an elevated risk of neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders. Led by Dr. Ida A.K. Nilsson from the Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery at the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden, the research highlights the long-term impact maternal health can have on offspring’s mental well-being.
Study Overview
The population-based cohort study utilized Finnish national registers to examine all live births from 2004 to 2014, with a follow-up period extending to 2021. Researchers included data from 392,098 mothers (mean age 30.15 years) and 649,956 offspring, covering a wide range of neurodevelopmental and psychiatric conditions, including mood, anxiety, and conduct disorders.
The primary exposures assessed were maternal eating disorders and high prepregnancy BMI. Of the cohort, 1.6% of mothers had a history of eating disorders, 5.89% were underweight, and 53.13% had obesity before pregnancy. Diagnoses in the children were categorized according to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10), providing a comprehensive insight into the variety of mental health conditions associated with maternal health factors.
Key Findings
The study revealed that 16.43% of the offspring were diagnosed with a neurodevelopmental or psychiatric disorder by ages 7 to 17. Researchers found particularly significant associations between maternal health factors and certain psychiatric conditions in offspring:
- Maternal Eating Disorders: Offspring of mothers with eating disorders were more likely to develop psychiatric disorders. The largest effect sizes were observed for sleep disorders (hazard ratio [HR], 2.36) and social functioning/tic disorders (HR, 2.18).
- Prepregnancy Obesity: Severe maternal obesity before pregnancy was linked to a more than twofold increased risk of intellectual disabilities in offspring (HR, 2.04). Being underweight also posed risks, correlating with several psychiatric conditions in children.
- Adverse Birth Outcomes: When coupled with maternal obesity or eating disorders, adverse birth outcomes (e.g., low birth weight, preterm birth) further heightened the likelihood of neurodevelopmental and psychiatric conditions.
Clinical Implications
The study underscores the need for clinical awareness regarding maternal health’s impact on offspring mental health. “The findings underline the risk of offspring mental illness associated with maternal eating disorders and prepregnancy BMI and suggest the need to consider these exposures clinically to help prevent offspring mental illness,” the authors noted. Healthcare providers may consider additional monitoring and early interventions for children born to mothers with these risk factors.
Study Limitations
While the study sheds valuable light on the influence of maternal health, it has limitations. The relatively short follow-up period may exclude some late-onset disorders, such as schizophrenia. Additionally, the lack of paternal and genetic data may restrict interpretations, as these factors can also significantly influence offspring mental health. There may also be a diagnosis bias, as mothers with eating disorders could be more attuned to their children’s health and behavior, potentially leading to earlier diagnosis and treatment for their children.
Conclusion
This comprehensive study, supported by the Swedish Research Council, the Swedish Brain Foundation, and other institutions, highlights the connection between maternal health before and during pregnancy and the mental health outcomes of offspring. By identifying these associations, the research underscores the importance of considering maternal health factors in prenatal and early-life interventions to help prevent mental health challenges in future generations.
