How Prenatal Maternal Stress Predisposes Offspring Toward Development of Gastrointestinal Disorders

Abstract

Prenatal maternal stress is highly prevalent in different circumstances, whether it’s depression, anxiety, an adverse major life event, or a difficult living situation. The stress experienced during pregnancy triggers a biological response in the mother which can transfer stress to the fetus through hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, serotonin, cytokines, reactive oxygen species, or the gut microbiota. This transfer of stress can induce alterations in fetal development, predisposing offspring of stressed mothers to developing gastrointestinal (GI) disorders such as colitis or Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), specifically through gut dysbiosis. Ongoing research is necessary to determine the biological mechanisms of stress transfer, and how probiotic treatments may be used to correct dysbiosis and prevent or treat GI disorders.