Experiences of Discrimination During Pregnancy Predict Altered Neonatal Hair Cortisol at Birth

The study investigates the impact of maternal discrimination during pregnancy on fetal cortisol levels, as measured in neonatal hair. It involved 65 pregnant individuals from two cohorts in different U.S. locations. The findings indicate that prenatal experiences of discrimination are linked to alterations in neonatal hair cortisol, which reflects both maternal and fetal cortisol. In the U.S. interior city cohort, higher perceived discrimination was associated with lower neonatal hair cortisol, while in the U.S. border town cohort, it was associated with higher cortisol levels. This study highlights the significance of maternal discrimination as a factor influencing fetal cortisol exposure, suggesting potential intergenerational health implications.