The Effects of Prenatal Cortisol Concentrations on Working Memory Performance in Preschool Children

Abstract

Working memory has been shown to predict future cognitive and academic outcomes, making the successful development of working memory crucial. Extensive animal literature has reported a relationship between elevated maternal cortisol in utero and poorer working memory performance in offspring, while this association has not been replicated in humans. The current study aims to investigate the effect of maternal cortisol exposure on working memory development in preschool aged children. Maternal salivary cortisol was collected over two consecutive days at three prenatal assessments. Child working memory was assessed at age 3-4 years. Results indicated that there was no association between a working memory composite score and maternal cortisol; however, the current study was underpowered. Individual subtest analyses revealed significant three-way interactions for two subtests with infant biological sex and gestational age. Future research should investigate the relationship between prenatal cortisol and working memory under varying conditions of stress in children.