A prospective study to understand maternal mental health during pregnancy and its relation to neurodevelopmental disorders in children

Abstract

Background: Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Intellectual Disability (ID), and Communication Disorders (CD) significantly impair cognitive, behavioural, and adaptive functioning in children. Emerging evidence suggests that maternal mental health during pregnancy plays a critical role in fetal brain development. Emotional conflicts such as grief, suppression, domination, anxiety, or neglect may adversely influence neurodevelopmental outcomes. Homoeopathy, with its holistic emphasis on psychosomatic causation and individualization, offers a therapeutic approach addressing both maternal emotional influences and the child’s constitution. Aim: To evaluate the relationship between maternal mental conflicts during pregnancy and specific neurodevelopmental disorders in children, and to assess the effectiveness of individualized homoeopathic treatment. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted on 30 children aged 1-15 years diagnosed with NDDs. Detailed maternal mental history during pregnancy was recorded. Individualized homoeopathic remedies were prescribed based on totality of symptoms and repertorisation using CARA software. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the MANAS (Multidimensional Assessment of Neurodevelopment and Adaptive Skills) scale. Statistical analysis was performed using paired t-test. Results: Maternal mental conflicts were identified in 76.6% of cases. ASD (40%) and ADHD (30%) were the most prevalent diagnoses. Specific maternal conflicts showed consistent associations with particular disorders. Mean MANAS score improved from 9.6±2.91 to 32.8±7.26 after treatment, with a mean gain of 23.2 points (t=16.71, p