Prenatal maternal negative life events associated with child emotional and behavioral problems in the French EDEN cohort
Journal of Affective Disorders. 2024-07-01; 356: 224-232
DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.04.040
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Avendano S(1), Moirangthem S(1), Taflet M(2), Heude B(2), Koehl M(3), van der
Waerden J(4), Downes N(1).
Author information:
(1)Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Institut Pierre Louis d’Epidémiologie et de
Santé Publique, Social Epidemiology Research Team, F 75012 Paris, France.
(2)Université Paris Cité and Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, Inserm, INRAE,
Center for Research in Epidemiology and StatisticS (CRESS), F 75004 Paris,
France.
(3)Universtié Bordeaux, INSERM, Neurocentre Magendie, U1215, Neurogenesis and
Pathophysiology Group, 33000 Bordeaux, France.
(4)Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Institut Pierre Louis d’Epidémiologie et de
Santé Publique, Social Epidemiology Research Team, F 75012 Paris, France.
Electronic address: .
INTRODUCTION: Prenatal negative life events (NLEs) have been linked to adverse
health outcomes in children. However, few studies examine this relationship
during late childhood using trajectory analyses. Additionally, the impact of
specific NLEs domains on child development remains unclear. This study aims to
longitudinally explore the association between NLEs (cumulative score and
specific NLEs domains) and child outcomes from birth to late childhood.
METHODS: 1135 mother-child pairs from the French EDEN cohort were followed from
24 to 28 weeks of pregnancy up to 11 years of age. Maternal self-reports of
prenatal NLEs were collected immediately after birth, then analyzed as a
cumulative score and by NLEs domain. Children’s emotional and behavioral
symptoms were assessed at 4 timepoints through the Strengths and Difficulties
Questionnaire.
RESULTS: Children of mothers exposed to ≥3 NLEs were more likely to follow
trajectories of high levels of peer relationship problems (aOR [95 % CI] = 5.69
[1.74-18.69]), emotional symptoms (aOR [95 % CI] = 3.05 [1.08-8.63]), and
conduct problems (aOR [95 %] = 3.53 [1.20-10.42]). Among the domains of NLEs,
only events related to housing, finance, and living conditions were
significantly associated with high emotional and behavioral difficulties
trajectories (aOR [95%CI] = 2.71[1.26-5.81]).
LIMITATIONS: Potential attrition bias due to a higher dropout rate for children
experiencing early indications of emotional and behavioral difficulties.
CONCLUSION: Findings support the relationship between prenatal NLEs and child
outcomes, underscoring the importance of assessing prenatal stressors across
life domains to identify mothers who might be in need of support.
Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.04.040
PMID: 38608762 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
Conflict of interest statement: Declaration of competing interest The authors
declare no conflict of interest.