Prenatal mental health and emotional experiences during the pandemic: associations with infant neurodevelopment screening results

Abstract

Background: This study determined whether parental mental health and emotional experiences during the prenatal period were linked to infant developmental outcomes through the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3) at 8-10 months.

Methods: Participants included 133 individuals who were living in the US and were pregnant or had given birth within 6 months prior to enrollment. Respondents were majority White with high education and income levels. Online surveys were administered from May 2020 to September 2021; follow-up surveys were administered from November 2020 to August 2022.

Results: Parent generalized anxiety symptoms were positively associated with infant communication (β = 0.34, 95% CI [0.15, 1.76], p < 0.05), while parent-fetal bonding was positively associated with infant communication (β = 0.20, 95% CI [0.05, 0.76], p < 0.05) and personal-social performance (β = 0.20, 95% CI [0.04, 0.74], p < 0.05). COVID-19-related worry was negatively associated with infant communication (β = -0.30, 95% CI [-0.75, -0.12], p < 0.05) and fine motor performance (β = -0.25, 95% CI [-0.66, -0.03], p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Parent mental health and emotional experiences may contribute to infant developmental outcomes in high risk conditions such as a pandemic.

Impact statement: Maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection has been evaluated in relation to child outcomes, however, parent psychosocial experiences should not be overlooked when considering pandemic risks to child development. Specific prenatal mental health and pandemic-related emotional experiences are associated with infant developmental performance, as assessed by the Ages and Stages. Questionnaire (ASQ-3) at 8 to 10 months old. Findings indicate that parental prenatal anxiety and emotional experiences from the pandemic should be assessed when evaluating child developmental delays.