Repositori URV

Identifier: TDX:927

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/TDX927

Authors:
Hernández Martínez, Carmen

Abstract:
The aim of this work was to study the effects of prenatal maternal anxiety, nicotine exposure and iron status on the neonatal behavior assessed by the Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale in 301 neonates in a follow-up study. The results show anxious mothers had infants with lower interaction and attention capabilities, moreover, males were more affected than females showing more irritability. After controlling for pediatric and sociodemographic variables, infants prenatally exposed to nicotine showed less attention, self regulation and motor capabilities, and infants of secondhand smoking mothers were the most affected. In relation to maternal iron status, iron deficiency at the beginning of the pregnancy affected the neonatal autonomous response and the iron deficiency at the end of the pregnancy affected the motor and self regulation response. We concluded that in a medical and sociodemographic low-risk population, moderate levels of anxiety, smoking and iron deficiency are related to several neonatal behavior aspects suggesting neurodevelopmental alterations.