A recent study suggests that, low birth weight or stress during pregnancy may lead long-term health issues in mothers. It may affect adrenal, metabolic and cardio-renal health after pregnancy.

According to Jean Ni Cheong, from the University of Melbourne, leading the study, said that, the fact was known that being born of low birth weight or experiencing stress during pregnancy increased the risks of pregnancy complications. The study was published in The Journal of Physiology.

"We know that women born with a low birth weight do not adapt as well to pregnancy and have higher risks of developing various complications, and experiencing stress can also induce these complications," Ms Cheong said.

"But little is understood about how experiencing stress during pregnancy and having been born with a low birth weight affect mothers for the rest of their lives."

"We found that stress and low birth weight can independently affect cardiovascular, kidney, adrenal and metabolic health of mothers long after the pregnancy," Cheong said.

"Interestingly, having both risk factors did not lead to more severe outcomes," she added.

"By identifying individuals at higher risk of developing complications during pregnancy and therefore long-term diseases, appropriate interventions can be implemented to improve outcomes," Cheong said.

"More research is required to further explore why a low birth weight and a stressful pregnancy causes pregnancy complications and adversely harms the health of these mothers," Wlodek said.

"By understanding these pathways, appropriate interventions and advice can be given to women who were born small or had a stressful pregnancy," she said.

Nandini