Prenatal stress and neurodevelopmental disorders: neuroanatomical and psychiatric outcomes

Abstract

Prenatal stress has been increasingly recognized as a significant factor influencing fetal brain development, leading to long-term neuroanatomical and psychiatric consequences. This literature review synthesizes current research on the impact of maternal stress during pregnancy on offspring neurodevelopment, focusing on structural brain abnormalities and associated psychiatric disorders. Evidence suggests that prenatal stress disrupts neurogenesis, synaptic plasticity, and hypothalamic pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function, increasing susceptibility to conditions such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), schizophrenia, and mood disorders. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for developing early intervention strategies to mitigate adverse outcomes.