Study Finds Timing of Prenatal Stress Influences Infant Stress Responses by Gender

A recent study has identified that the timing of stress during pregnancy affects infant stress responses differently based on gender. Researchers observed that mid-pregnancy stress tends to have a greater impact on stress reactivity in female infants, while male infants are more sensitive to stress experienced during late gestation.

The findings highlight distinct patterns in how prenatal stress influences neurodevelopmental outcomes. According to the study, girls exposed to elevated maternal stress levels during the middle stages of pregnancy exhibited heightened reactivity to stressful situations after birth. In contrast, boys showed increased sensitivity when maternal stress occurred later in pregnancy. The research underscores the importance of understanding how prenatal environmental factors interact with developmental processes and may contribute to gender-specific differences in early life responses to stress.

Date: 12 March, 2025

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Author

Mark Chiang