Maternal hormonal milieu influence on fetal brain development

An adverse maternal hormonal environment during pregnancy can be associated with abnormal brain growth. Subtle changes in fetal brain development have been observed even for maternal hormone levels within the currently accepted physiologic ranges. In this review, we provide an update of the research data on maternal hormonal impact on fetal neurodevelopment, giving particular emphasis to thyroid hormones and glucocorticoids. Thyroid hormones are required for normal brain development. Despite serum TSH appearing to be the most accurate indicator of thyroid function in pregnancy, maternal serum free T4 levels in the first trimester of pregnancy are the major determinant of postnatal psychomotor development. Even a transient period of maternal hypothyroxinemia at the beginning of neurogenesis can confer a higher risk of expressive language and nonverbal cognitive delays in offspring. Nevertheless, most recent clinical guidelines advocate for targeted high-risk case finding during first trimester of pregnancy despite universal thyroid function screening. Corticosteroids are determinant in suppressing cell proliferation and stimulating terminal differentiation, a fundamental switch for the maturation of fetal organs. Not surprisingly, intrauterine exposure to stress or high levels of glucocorticoids, endogenous or synthetic, has a molecular and structural impact on brain development and appears to impair cognition and increase anxiety and reactivity to stress. Limbic regions, such as hippocampus and amygdala, are particularly sensitive. Repeated doses of prenatal corticosteroids seem to have short-term benefits of less respiratory distress and fewer serious health problems in offspring. Nevertheless, neurodevelopmental growth in later childhood and adulthood needs further clarification. Future studies should address the relevance of monitoring the level of thyroid hormones and corticosteroids during pregnancy in the risk stratification for impaired postnatal neurodevelopment.This work was supported by the grant "Doutoramento em Medicina Jose de Mello Saude 2014" by Jose de Mello Saude to AM

Personal Papers (MS 80-0002)

Pamphlet describing the work of the United Negro College Fund from its inception through 1953, providing statistics and information about how the funds are used. It includes a list of national leadership and member colleges on the back

Links San Antonio Papers

Letter from the Regional Vice Chairman of the United Negro College Fund to Edwina Murphy, referred to in the letter as Mrs. John Murphy. The San Antonio chapter of The Links, Inc. contributed $750 to the fund last year, but they would like the chapter to contribute$1,125 this year to help them reach their fund raising goal

United Negro College Fund Newsletter

Front page of the September 27, 1974 edition of the United Negro College Fund Newsletter. The page features four articles, including three about the national organization of The Links, Inc. The first article discusses a large donation by The Links, Inc. to the fund; another article introduces Pauline Ellison as the new president of The Links, Inc.; and a third article announces a fund raising event hosted by The Links, Inc. on behalf of the fund. The fourth article on the page describes an event in honor of Duke Ellington

Personal Papers (MS 80-0002)

Letter from Thomas D. Armstrong of the U.N.C.F discussing his recent appointment as chairman of the Big Gift Committee. Pages 2 through 8 are a pamphlet for U.N.C.F

Personal Papers (MS 80-0002)

Letter from United Negro College Fund, Inc. discussing a solicitor's meeting of the Galveston Division of the United Negro College Fund campaign