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Many pregnant women experience prenatal stress, which can result in adverse outcomes for both the mother and the developing fetus, including increased risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, developmental delays and behavioral problems in the child.

In a recent study, researchers found a significant link between early signs of adrenal puberty in first-born daughters and their mothers' exposure to high levels of prenatal stress. The 15-year longitudinal study provides insight into previously unrecognized patterns of adrenal puberty resulting from prenatal stress. This correlation was absent in boys and daughters who were not first-born.

Adrenal puberty, characterized by changes such as body hair growth, acne and cognitive maturation, excludes primary sexual characteristics like breast development or menstruation onset in girls and testicular enlargement in boys.

The findings significantly contribute to the field of fetal programming research, which explores the enduring impacts of maternal stress and other prenatal factors on offspring development well beyond birth. The researchers suggest that a first-born daughter's maturation, without early menstruation onset, may equip her to assist her mother in successfully rearing subsequent children. This dynamic highlights the relationship between maternal stress, offspring development, and family dynamics.

Eldest daughter syndrome

The study also provides insights into the eldest daughter syndrome, a socio-cultural phenomenon where first-born females often shoulder significant childcare and domestic responsibilities to support household functioning. It refers to a set of behavioral characteristics observed in the first-born daughter of a family. Typically, she assumes responsibilities beyond her age, acting as a surrogate parent or mediator in family matters.

In the study, participants were recruited from Southern California obstetric clinics, comprising women undergoing singleton pregnancies. Measures of maternal stress, depression and anxiety were assessed during pregnancy and postpartum, while children's puberty biomarkers were evaluated at various ages.