The Silent Imprint: Exploring Maternal PTSD and Its Effects on Fetal Neurodevelopment

Abstract

The prenatal period is a critical window for human brain development, marked by both remarkable potential and heightened vulnerability. No other period in a child’s life matches the speed of neurological growth occurring in the first nine months in utero. Emerging research has highlighted prenatal maternal psychological distress, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a significant influence on fetal neurodevelopment, with implications for child emotional, behavioral, and cognitive outcomes. This encyclopedia entry synthesizes findings from recent studies on the biological, epigenetic, and neurodevelopmental consequences of prenatal exposure to maternal PTSD and psychological distress.