Logo image
Back
Associations between Prenatal Perceived Stress and Child Autism-Related Traits in the ECHO Cohort
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Associations between Prenatal Perceived Stress and Child Autism-Related Traits in the ECHO Cohort

Luke P. Grosvenor, Monica McGrath, Jasmine Douglas, Jennifer L. Ames, Ndidiamaka Amutah-Onukagha, Lyndsay Avalos, Brennan H. Baker, Patricia A. Brennan, Neika Christalin, Assiamira Ferrara, …
The Journal of pediatrics, p115054
02 Mar 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpeds.2026.115054
PMID: 41780671
Featured in Collection :   Drexel's Newest Publications

Abstract

autism spectrum disorder neurodevelopment prenatal stress psychosocial health
To examine associations of prenatal perceived stress with child autism-related traits and to evaluate effect modification by both child sex and co-occurring prenatal depressive symptoms. The sample was drawn from Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Cohort sites with data on prenatal perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale [PSS]) and autism-related traits (Social Responsiveness Scale, 2nd Edition [SRS-2]). We used linear and logistic regression models to determine associations between PSS and either SRS-2 T-scores or odds of moderate-to-severe autism-related traits (SRS-2 T-score ≥65) and evaluated effect modification by sex and prenatal depressive symptoms (PDEP). Among 4,115 mother–child pairs, higher PSS was associated with increased severity of autism-related traits (β=0.15 [95% CI=0.13-0.18]) and odds of moderate-to-severe traits (OR=1.04 [1.04–1.05]). There was evidence for sex-by-exposure interaction for continuous (βMales=0.18 [0.14–0.22]; βFemales=0.13 [0.10–0.16], Pinteraction=0.03) but not dichotomous trait severity (ORMales=1.05 [1.03–1.06]; ORFemales=1.04 [1.03–1.05], Pinteraction=0.52). Associations did not differ by PDEP (Low: N=2,538, b=0.14 [0.11–0.18]; High: N=889, b=0.10 [0.04–0.15]; Pinteraction=0.66). We found small yet significant associations between prenatal stress and autism-related traits. Limited evidence for effect modification by sex or prenatal depressive symptoms suggests prenatal perceived stress influences autism-related traits after accounting for these factors.

Metrics

1 Record Views

Details

Logo image