DW: Guess my Mom was stressed all to hell and back 24/7!
Don’t stress, boys! A new Danish study warns that elevated stress levels during late pregnancy can potentially lower boys' IQ scores by age seven. Even stranger, the research team found that while higher blood cortisol was associated with lower IQ in boys, girls scored better on cognitive tests when their mothers had increased stress levels during pregnancy.
The scientists explain that while prenatal cortisol exposure is necessary for fetal development, it can affect brain function later in life. The findings are due to be presented at the 26th annual European Congress of Endocrinology in Stockholm, Sweden.
Source: NY Post