Prenatal maternal mood entropy is associated with child neurodevelopment.

Emerging evidence indicates that the predictability of signals early in life may influence developing brain. This study examines links between a novel indicator maternal mood dysregulation, entropy, and child neurodevelopmental outcomes. Associations prenatal entropy neurodevelopment were assessed 2 longitudinal cohorts. Maternal was measured several times over pregnancy beginning as 15 weeks' gestation. Shannon's applied to distributions mothers' responses on questionnaires. Child cognitive language development evaluated at 6-9 years age. Higher associated with lower scores age expressive These associations persisted after adjusting for pre postnatal levels other relevant sociodemographic factors. Our findings identify predictor neurodevelopment. Characterizing components addition level severity or valence further our understanding specific processes by which shapes development. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).