Impact of Maternal Stress on Infant Stunting

Grounded in participatory action research and a socio-ecological framework, this mixed-methods, observational study enrolled a longitudinal cohort of 155 women, seen during pregnancy (6-9 mo), early (0-6 wks) and later (4-6 mo) postpartum, and two cross-sectional cohorts (60 early, 56 later postpartum).

Maternal and infant anthropometry was recorded, maternal fecal, urine and saliva samples were collected, and questionnaires were used to explore household factors (socioeconomic status, food security), social factors (autonomy, paternal/social support, domestic violence), and maternal-level factors (nutrition, infection, emotional distress).

Analyses focused on (1) characterizing women's exposure to nutrition, infection and psychosocial stressors vs. resilience factors, (2) describing the maternal diurnal salivary cortisol rhythm in pregnancy and postpartum and explore its association with psychosocial variables, (3) assessing the cumulative impact of maternal-level factors (nutritional, infectious, psychosocial), social factors (autonomy, social support, domestic violence), and household factors (socioeconomic status, food security) on early infant growth, and (4) evaluating whether maternal cortisol may be a mediator in the vertical transmission of stress.

In addition, Photovoice activities involved giving a camera to 23 women from study communities, who documented sources of stress vs. resilience for local women, and shared photo-elicited narratives through six group sessions.