From womb to words: the sex-specific interplay of fetal sex hormones and maternal mood on infant language development - Summary - MDSpire

From womb to words: the sex-specific interplay of fetal sex hormones and maternal mood on infant language development

  • By

  • Michaela Reimann-Ayiköz

  • Jasmin Preiß

  • Eva Reisenberger

  • Cristina Florea

  • Monika Angerer

  • Manuel Schabus

  • Dietmar Roehm

  • Gesa Schaadt

  • Claudia Männel

  • June 16, 2026

  • 0 min

Share

Objective:

To examine the interplay of fetal DHEA levels and maternal mood on receptive language abilities in infants at 12 months, focusing on gender differences.

Approach:
    Key Findings:
    • Fetal DHEA predicted language development in boys, influenced by maternal mood.
    • In boys, higher DHEA levels were associated with lower language ability only when mothers had better mood.
    • In girls, maternal mood was the sole significant contributor to language ability, with better mood correlating with higher language outcomes.
    Interpretation:

    Remove or rephrase to avoid unsupported conclusions.

    Limitations:
    • The study's sample size was limited to 58 infants.
    • The assessment of maternal mood was based on self-report measures, which may introduce bias.
    Conclusion:

    Revise to reflect only the findings without implications.

Original Source(s)

From womb to words: the sex-specific interplay of fetal sex hormones and maternal mood on infant language development

  • by Michaela Reimann-Ayiköz, Jasmin Preiß, Eva Reisenberger, Cristina Florea, Monika Angerer, Manuel Schabus, Dietmar Roehm, Gesa Schaadt, Claudia Männel

  • June 16, 2026

Related Content

FDA Expands OTC CGM Access to Children

The device was previously cleared for adults aged 18 years and older in March 2024.

Polymorphic ventricular tachycardia with mutation in KCNJ2: case report

Application and progress of psychological sand table play therapy in children's rehabilitation