Determine the Influence of Prenatal Stress on Fetal Development

LMRJ

Abstract

Prenatal stress is an epigenetic factor which can produce long-lasting alterations
in brain structures and body functions. The objective of this is to examine the ratio
of prenatal stress among pregnant women. It is necessary to assess stress
separately at each trimester of pregnancy to differentiate chronic from acute stress
in order to evaluate the effect on child development. Prenatal stress can alter
neurotropic growth factors, synapse development, neurotransmitter levels and also
adult neuron development. Prenatal stresses significantly influence the
development of the brain and the organisation of behaviour. Prenatal stress can
also be the main cause of hypertension, type 2 diabetes, schizophrenia and cardiac
disorders in adulthood. But the impact ofstress is not very clear. The survey based
on a cross-sectional study was conducted in Karachi. The sample size calculated
for the survey is 45. The pregnant women were asked to fill the questionnaire of
23 questions.