Review of impact of maternal perinatal mental health on offspring cardiovascular system

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1674-8115.2026.03.016

Abstract

Abstract:

Perinatal maternal mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, and stress, are important risk factors affecting the long-term health of offspring. Although some epidemiological evidence and animal studies support an association between maternal mental health and offspring cardiovascular outcomes, the exact causal relationship remains controversial due to the presence of multiple confounding factors, such as genetic predisposition, social environment, and lifestyle, as well as the inherent limitations of causal inference in most observational studies. This article summarizes current advances in epidemiological, clinical, and basic research, and explores the short-long-term effects of maternal depression, anxiety, and other adverse mental health conditions during the perinatal period on the structure and function of the offspring cardiovascular system, as well as their potential biological mechanisms. The article further suggests that future research should further integrate prospective cohort designs with multi-omics approaches, including epigenomics and metabolomics, and combine these with interventional studies to systematically elucidate the underlying biological pathways and causal mechanisms, thereby providing a solid basis for the development of effective prevention and intervention strategies.

Key words: perinatal mental health, cardiovascular outcomes, intergenerational health, maternal-infant healthcare management

CLC Number:

R715.3

Xu Yulin, Du Bowen, Wang Jian, Sun Kun. Review of impact of maternal perinatal mental health on offspring cardiovascular system[J]. Journal of Shanghai Jiao Tong University (Medical Science), 2026, 46(3): 408-414.

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References 66

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