Prenatal and Intrapartum Factors Associated With Infant Temperament: A Systematic Review

Mizuki Takegata; Asami Matsunaga; Yukiko Ohashi; Michiko Toizumi; Lay Myint Yoshida; Toshinori Kitamura

doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2021.609020

Prenatal and Intrapartum Factors Associated With Infant Temperament: A Systematic Review

Front Psychiatry. 2021 Apr 8:12:609020. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.609020. eCollection 2021.

Authors

Mizuki Takegata^{1

2}, Asami Matsunaga^{2

3

4}, Yukiko Ohashi⁵, Michiko Toizumi¹, Lay Myint Yoshida¹, Toshinori Kitamura^{2

3

6

7}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan.
² Kitamura Institute of Mental Health Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
³ Kitamura KOKORO Clinic Mental Health, Tokyo, Japan.
⁴ Department of Community Mental Health and Law, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Japan.
⁵ Faculty of Nursing, Josai International University, Togane, Japan.
⁶ T. and F. Kitamura Foundation for Studies and Skill Advancement in Mental Health, Tokyo, Japan.
⁷ Department of Psychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan.

Abstract

Background: Temperament involves individual variations in behavioural tendencies of emotional responses and reactions to stimuli after birth. Because 'foetal programming' is a strong hypothesis in developing temperament, prenatal and intrapartum factors may be significant determinants of infant temperament. This systematic literature review aims to elucidate the evidence of prenatal and intrapartum predictors, including genetic, biological, environmental, socio-demographic, psychological, and obstetric factors of parents and their child. Methods: Relevant articles were searched using MEDLINE, PubMed, and SCOPUS. The inclusion criteria were (a) original research article, (b) written in English, (c) assessed the temperament of infants 12 months old or younger as an outcome variable, and (d) investigated prenatal and intrapartum factorial variables of infant temperament. Following the PRISMA guideline, the articles found in the three databases were screened and selected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria before the final review. Results: Finally, 35 articles were reviewed. This systematic review identified a variety of prenatal and intrapartum factors that were significantly associated with infant temperament: (1) genetic and biological factors: certain genotypes, maternal cortisol and ACTH, and CRHs, (2) environmental factors: substance use such as tobacco, alcohol, and illegal drugs, (3) socio-demographic factor: lower-income, (4) psychological factors: depression or anxiety, eating disorders, personality types of mothers, and domestic violence, and (5) obstetric factors: foetal growth (birth weight), hypertension in mothers, nausea (emesis), and preterm birth. Conclusion: The findings support gene-environment interaction and biological mechanisms for developing infant temperament, suggesting the importance of ensuring a safe and comfortable environment for pregnant mothers, unborn infants, and families during pregnancy and delivery.

Keywords: infant; intrapartum factor; prenatal factor; systematic review; temperament.

Publication types

Systematic Review