Experts Warn Maternal Stress May Increase Autism Risk in Children

Medical experts have warned that maternal stress before and after childbirth may increase the risk of autism in children, noting that prolonged stress can affect a child’s neurological development.

Speaking at the Ultimate Caregiver Enlightenment Symposium and Book Launch themed: “United in Care: Guiding Hearts, Growing Minds,” a neurology specialist at the National Hospital, Abuja, Dr. Adaobi Okeke, said stress hormones released during pregnancy can cross the placenta and influence the developing fetus.

“The child is not the one that is stressed, but the hormones from the mother get into the child,” Okeke said. “This can alter the expression of certain genes and, in the presence of other risk factors, predispose the child to autism,” she pointed out.

She added that postnatal stress may also pose risks, explaining that stress-related chemicals can be transmitted through breast milk and potentially affect a child’s development.

Also speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer of the My Child’s Psyche Initiative (MCPI), Chyna Clifford, said the foundation is focused on improving children’s mental wellness amid rising social challenges such as insecurity, moral decline, out-of-school children, and increasing autism cases.

Clifford noted that many children with autism later develop psychological conditions, including anxiety, which often persist into adulthood and affect productivity. “This foundation is committed to creating awareness about childhood disorders that have long-term consequences,” she said.

She stressed the role of schools in nurturing emotional development, saying: “We are the primary observers of a child’s social and emotional development during their formative years. Within our schools, we must create emotionally supportive environments and build high-trust relationships between staff and students.”

According to her, every child carries an inner world filled with fears, worries, dreams, and immense potential, but this is often ignored. She said MCPI’s mission is to promote holistic child development by integrating cognitive, emotional, moral, and social growth.

“We envision a Nigeria where emotional intelligence is valued as highly as academic excellence, and where kindness, empathy, and self-awareness are intentionally cultivated,” Clifford said.

Speaking on postpartum depression, an obstetrician and gynaecologist, Mariam Tukur-Shagaya, underscored the need for strong family support after childbirth. She said spouses must play an active role in supporting women to safeguard the wellbeing of both mother and child.

She explained: “Postpartum depression is different from pre-depression. This is a serious mood disorder, an intense feeling of sadness, anxiety, and fatigue that usually comes after childbirth. It affects about one in 10 women and can have a significant impact on their well-being.

“If a woman has a family history of mental health disorders, low self-esteem, or has experienced a difficult pregnancy or delivery, she may be more prone to postpartum depression. Economic challenges or cultural expectations, such as pressure regarding the child’s gender or health, can also contribute.

“We need to support each other, look at postpartum experiences without judgment, and provide a space where women can share their stories. Understanding and compassion are essential for helping mothers navigate this transformative period in their lives.”