HLTA03H3 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: Cortisol, Cytokinesis, Postpartum Depression
11 Mar 2018
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Document Summary
Maternal psychological distress happens in the early stage. Fetal programming (change to fetal neurologic system) May result from increased fetal exposure to cortisol impaired placental function -> reduces metabolism of cortisol and increases serotonin, or increase in inflammatory cytokinesis related to increased stress. Toddlers need a healthy cognitive development because it influences future academic performances and mental health into adulthood. When there are problems in other domains (behavioural, emotional) it can cascade because they perform together and negatively impact areas of development during toddlerhood going into adolescence. Some studies show that maternal psychological distress influences toddler cognitive development but others have not. Recent review found a small negative association in children from birth to 5 years of age. Found articles, did thorough background check for any missing data, bias, etc. Important to measure because 1) it can help with figuring out the association with cognitive development so that the effects of prenatal and postnatal mental health can be parsed out.
