The
interaction of both social (e.g., access to food) and biophysical (e.g., drought)
stresses thus combine to aggravate critical
stress periods (e.g.,
during and after ENSO events).
According to evolutionary, genetic, and endocrinal perspectives, gender differences are modulated by the
interaction between intra-uterine
stress, genetic equipments, and the availability
of the facilitating environment
during the newborn
period.
An increased risk
of physical and emotional / behavioural problems has consistently been observed in the offspring
of mothers suffering from depression in the perinatal
period.9, 10 Probably, complex
interactions between several pathways may explain this phenomenon, including biological mechanisms (eg, fetal exposure to maternal
stress hormones), behavioural and emotional features (eg, poorer prenatal care and attachment style
of depressed mothers) and genetic predisposition transmitted to the offspring.10 In addition to depression
during pregnancy and postpartum, exposure to ADs is another major concern.