A recent study reveals that stress during pregnancy leaves a lasting molecular imprint on babies, with notable differences between male and female newborns. The research, led by Prof. Hermona Soreq and Shani Vaknine Treidel from Hebrew University, shows that prenatal stress alters tiny RNA molecules in newborn blood and affects brain enzymes regulating stress. These changes may explain why some children are more vulnerable to developmental or psychiatric challenges.
Published in Molecular Psychiatry, the study focuses on perceived prenatal stress (PPS), or the mother’s own stress during pregnancy. The researchers found that PPS can reprogram molecular pathways in the baby’s body, particularly in the cholinergic system, which controls stress response and inflammation.
The team analyzed umbilical cord blood from babies of mothers with high stress levels during the third trimester. They discovered that stress affected families of tRNA fragments (tRFs), especially those from mitochondrial DNA. Female babies showed the most significant changes, including a reduction in certain mitochondrial tRFs, which regulate acetylcholine—a neurotransmitter crucial for brain function and immune response.
The study also found higher levels of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in boys born to stressed mothers, suggesting an imbalance in their stress-response system from birth.
Using machine learning, the researchers achieved a 95% success rate in distinguishing female newborns exposed to maternal stress based on their CholinotRF profiles. This breakthrough could lead to early diagnostic tools for prenatal stress effects and interventions.
“This study reveals how the maternal environment impacts the next generation’s health,” said Vaknine Treidel, emphasizing the importance of supporting mental health during pregnancy.
The study is part of the international FELICITy project, in collaboration with the Technical University of Munich and the University of Washington. Over 120 mother-infant pairs participated, with blood samples analyzed at Hebrew University’s Center for Genomic Technologies.
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