JAKARTA - Mental health of pregnant women has a long-term impact on children's health and well-being. A recent study highlights the importance of emotional care for prospective mothers. Because researchers found that children born to mothers who experience psychological stress during pregnancy have a much higher risk of developing epilepsy in childhood.
Launching Medical Daily, Thursday, August 28, this study revealed a significant increase in the risk of epilepsy by 70 percent in children aged 1 to 3 years when their mothers experience continued psychological stress during pregnancy. The findings published in the journal PLOS ONE are based on a birth cohort analysis involving nearly 100,000 participants.
Epilepsy is a chronic brain disease characterized by seizures, which occurs when nerve cells do not signal well. This condition affects about 65 million people worldwide, with about 150,000 new cases occurring annually in the US. Although some cases of epilepsy are hereditary, other factors such as developmental disorders, brain injury, and autoimmune disorders are known to cause epilepsy.
Common causes for epilepsy include stress, lack of sleep, fatigue, alcohol use, drug use, hormonal changes during menstruation, disease, and fever.
In a recent study, the researchers analyzed the relationship between stress scores in pregnant women and epilepsy results in their children. Using the Kessler Psychological Distres Scale (K6), the researchers evaluated participant stress based on six items, twice during pregnancy: once in the first trimester of pregnancy around week 15, and again in the second trimester of pregnancy around week 30. Based on their K6 score, participants were categorized into six groups, reflecting low or moderate levels of distress in each period.
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Analysis shows that the K6 mother score of 5 or higher at both points of time is associated with the risk of a diagnosis of epilepsy of 70 percent higher in children aged 1 to 3 years.
"Therefore, environmental adjustments to encourage relaxation in pregnant women are needed to prevent the development of epilepsy in children," the researchers wrote.
To reduce the risk of stress and maternal anxiety during pregnancy, the researchers suggested "relaxation therapy, including yoga, music, Benson therapy, progressive muscle relaxation, deep breath relaxation, guided imagination, mindfulness, and hyponosis."
Based on current findings, they hope that these stress reliever techniques can also be effective in preventing epilepsy in children."
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