A study shows that pregnant women with high weight are at risk of giving birth to children with epilepsy

Researchers found that children born to women who experienced mental stress during pregnancy had a higher risk of developing childhood epilepsy.

The results of a study published in the journal PLOS ONE show that the risk of epilepsy increases by up to 70 percent among children aged one to one years when their mothers experience chronic psychological stress during they are heavy.

Reporting from Between on Saturday (16/11/2024), the study was based on an analysis of the results of a birth cohort study involving nearly 100,000 participants.

In the study, researchers analyzed the relationship between stress scores in pregnant women and the risk of epilepsy in their children.

Using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6), the researchers assessed study participants’ weight twice during their pregnancy, once in the first half or around 15 weeks of gestation and a- again in the second half or around 30 weeks of gestation.

Based on their K6 scores, participants were classified into six groups, showing low or moderate distress at each time point.

The analysis showed that a maternal K6 score of 5 or higher at both time points was associated with a 70 percent higher risk of epilepsy diagnosis among children aged one to three years.

“Therefore, environmental changes are needed to increase rest in pregnant women to prevent the development of epilepsy in their children,” the researchers said in the publication of the study results.

Researchers recommend relaxation therapies such as yoga, music, Benson therapy, progressive muscle relaxation, deep breathing relaxation, and hypnosis to reduce the risk of stress and anxiety in pregnant women.

They hope that these ways to reduce stress will also help prevent epilepsy in children.

According to the information published on the official website of the Ministry of Health, epilepsy, also known as epilepsy, is a chronic disease that occurs due to disorders of the central nervous system.

Epilepsy is a common disease, characterized primarily by recurrent seizures, and can affect people of all ages, from infants to adults.

Some epilepsy is caused by hereditary factors or other factors such as developmental disorders, brain injuries, and autoimmune disorders. (ant/saf/iss)