Maternal cortisol levels may be associated with adverse birth outcomes, according to a recent study published in Psychoneuroendocrinology.1
Cortisol is a stress regulating hormone with associated adverse health outcomes for prolonged exposure including diabetes and high blood pressure. A 2-fold to 4-fold rise in cortisol levels occurs naturally during pregnancy, and since perinatal well-being and stress may impact birth outcomes, investigators conducted a study to evaluate this association.2
Key Takeaways
- A recent study published suggests an association between maternal cortisol levels and adverse birth outcomes. Cortisol, a hormone regulating stress, sees a natural increase during pregnancy. Prolonged exposure to elevated cortisol levels has been linked to adverse health outcomes, including diabetes and high blood pressure.
- Unpredicted birth complications (UBCs) were reported in 24.5% of participants. Composite stress, anxiety, and depression scores were significantly higher in patients with UBCs at 2 months post-birth, declining by the 6-month mark.
- The findings suggest that stress-related cortisol levels during pregnancy may be linked to adverse birth outcomes, emphasizing the need for further research and potential interventions to manage maternal stress for better perinatal well-being.
There were 53 patients aged a mean 31.1 years included in the analysis. Participants responded to surveys with information about perceived stress, state anxiety, and depression. These surveys were completed during the third trimester and at 2- and 6-months following birth.
Unpredicted birth complications (UBCs) were reported in 24.5% of participants. Composite stress, anxiety, and depression (SAD) scores were significantly increased among patients with UBCs 2 months after birth, though a decline was observed by 6 months.
Cortisol was measured using hair cortisol concentration (HCC), collected during the third trimester and 6 months after birth. A positive association was reported between HCC and SAD scores, and patients with UBCs on average had increased HCC. In logistic regression, HCC was associated with UBCs but SAD scores were not.
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The association between HCC and SAD scores and the impact of UBCs had decreased in patients 6 months postpartum. This indicates psychological distress and HCC are associated during pregnancy and 2 months postpartum, with increased cortisol linked to UBC risk during pregnancy and early postpartum.
“There was otherwise nothing about these women that would suggest a disease or anything else complicating the pregnancy,” said Erica Crespi, corresponding author of the study and WSU developmental biologist.1 “This confirmed some hypotheses that levels of stress, related specifically to cortisol levels, might be associated with adverse birth outcomes.”
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This article originally appeared on Contemporary OB/GYN.
Reference
1. Potential link between high maternal cortisol, unpredicted birth complications. EurekAlert. January 31, 2024. Accessed February 6, 2024. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1032857
2. Madigan JA, Waters SF, Gartstein MA, Mattera JA, Connolly CP, Crespi EJ. Perinatal hair cortisol concentrations linked to psychological distress and unpredicted birth complications. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2024;161. doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2023.106921
