Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Nov 4: Mothers who consume lower levels of vitamin C during pregnancy may be more likely to have infants showing negative emotions such as fussiness and distress at six months of age, potentially indicating an increased risk of future mental health difficulties, a new study has found.

The research suggests that vitamin C supplementation during pregnancy may help reduce the association between maternal prenatal distress and negative emotional behaviour in infants by supporting the fetal environment and early brain development.

Senior author Elinor Sullivan, professor of psychiatry and behavioural neuroscience at Oregon Health and Science University's School of Medicine, said the findings highlight the importance of nutrition during pregnancy and the potential benefits of accessible nutritional interventions.

She noted that vitamin C supplements are relatively inexpensive and widely available, adding that improving maternal nutrition could have lasting benefits for children and families.

Researchers explained that stress during pregnancy can affect a mother's diet and nutritional intake, potentially leading to deficiencies in essential nutrients. These factors may influence an infant's socio-emotional development, including the ability to form relationships and understand and regulate emotions.

Given vitamin C's antioxidant and stress-regulating properties, the research team examined whether supplementation could help reduce the potential impact of prenatal maternal distress on infant behaviour.

Published in the journal 'Developmental Psychology', the study analysed mental health and nutrition data from more than 300 pregnant women. Researchers assessed vitamin C intake from both food sources and supplements, while maternal depression, anxiety and stress were measured using standardised clinical assessments.

Trained dietitians conducted repeated interviews with participants to record their dietary consumption and calculate their overall vitamin C intake.

When the infants were around six months old, their caregivers completed questionnaires assessing behavioural characteristics and temperament in the home environment.

The researchers found that higher levels of maternal distress during pregnancy were associated with greater negative affect in infants at six months. They also found that vitamin C supplementation, rather than vitamin C obtained through food alone, mediated the association between prenatal distress and negative infant emotions.

The research team suggested that inadequate vitamin C intake during pregnancy could influence fetal brain development by altering the intrauterine environment. They said prenatal supplementation could potentially serve as a modifiable intervention to support healthy early socio-emotional development.

Lead author Elizabeth Wood, assistant professor of psychiatry at Oregon Health and Science University's School of Medicine, said growing research was highlighting how the environment inside the womb influences not only physical health but also brain development and infant behaviour.

She said identifying evidence-based ways to support pregnant women and promote healthy brain development in babies remained a priority.