Mothers stressed during pregnancy, children prone to eczema

Eczema in children is a common skin condition characterized by dry, scaly patches of skin and intense itching.

Illustration photo.

A study published in the journal Nature suggests that maternal stress during pregnancy may contribute to eczema (atopic dermatitis) in children, through a biological mechanism identified for the first time.

Eczema in children is a common skin disease, characterized by dry, scaly patches of skin and intense itching. According to the authors, the cause may come from an increase in the hormone cortisol due to stress in the mother, causing the immune system and sensory nerve cells in the fetus' skin to overreact, leading to the risk of developing the disease.

Experiments conducted on pregnant rats showed that those that were subjected to mild stress by being confined in a narrow tube under bright light for 30 minutes, three times a day, for five consecutive days, had elevated levels of cortisol in their blood and amniotic fluid.

After birth, the pups of these mothers almost all developed eczema-like symptoms when lightly rubbed on the vulnerable skin, while pups of the control group did not develop similar lesions.

Scientists emphasize that this result cannot prove a direct causal relationship in humans because it was only performed on mice, but suggests a similar possibility in fetuses.

If this mechanism is confirmed in humans, stress management during pregnancy could become an effective preventive measure, helping to reduce the risk of eczema and other allergic diseases in children.

PV (synthesis)

Source: https://baohaiphong.vn/me-cang-thang-khi-mang-thai-con-de-mac-benh-cham-519573.html