A similar pattern of findings has been
observed in some, but not all, studies of HPA axis development
in nonhuman primates following early - life adversity.
This occurred even though these children's mothers showed almost none of the postnatal benefits
observed for those visited during pregnancy and infancy (such as reduced welfare dependence, substance abuse, criminal behavior, and child abuse and neglect).8 The mechanisms through which these beneficial effects occurred will be examined
in future reports, with a focus on the alteration of maternal prenatal health and the children's corresponding neuropsychological functioning, 22,23 as well as prenatal stress, given that stress during pregnancy affects the social and neuromotor development of
nonhuman primates.24, 25