Editorial summary: Perinatal stress, inflammation, and maternal-child mental health

Abstract

This edition focuses on the intricate relationship between stress and inflammation during the perinatal period and their impact on the mental health of mothers and children. The scientific contributions of seven research papers and reviews are collated in this special issue, offering valuable insights into how perinatal stress impacts maternal and child mental health via various mechanisms, with a special focus on the inflammatory signal pathways. It also highlights the importance of early intervention strategies and novel therapeutic approaches to mitigate the adverse consequences of perinatal stress.