Low Birth Weight And Pregnancy Stress Increases Health Risks In Women

Women with low birth weight or had stress during their pregnancy are at risk for long-term health issues, according to the results of a new study. This is based on rat models used by researchers from the University of Melbourne and the University of Queensland.

"We found that stress and low birth weight can independently affect cardiovascular, kidney, adrenal and metabolic health of mothers long after the pregnancy," said Jean Ni Cheong, as per Times of India. Cheong was the PhD student from the University of Melbourne who led the study. Cheong noted that there no more harmful effects observed if one had both factors.

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Researchers Induced Low Birth Weight And Stress

NDTV reported that the researchers restricted oxygen, nutrient and blood supply during the pregnancy of rats. The rats then gave birth to babies that have low birth weight because of the restrictions.

The researchers then reportedly waited until the females from these low birth weight rats got pregnant themselves and placed them under stress. After the pregnancy, the researchers looked into the health of the rats in the form of factors such as blood pressure, renal function, stress hormone production and metabolic function.

Cause Still Unknown

"More research is required to further explore why a low birth weight and a stressful pregnancy causes pregnancy complications and adversely harms the health of these mothers," Professor Mary Wlodek said, as per MedicalXpress. Wlodek is a professor of physiology at the University of Melbourne.

Wlodek was quoted as saying that understanding the cause would mean that proper interventions and advice may then be given to mothers with a low birth weight and experienced stress during pregnancy. Wlodek and her colleagues study was published in The Journal of Physiology.

What do you think is a possible cause on why being born with a low birth weight and experiencing stress during pregnancy has negative long-term health effects on women after pregnancy? Share your thoughts below.