January 8, 2026 — Maternal prenatal stress related to natural and human-made disasters can lead to epigenetic modifications in offspring , according to a narrative review published in Harvard Review of Psychiatry , part of the Lippincott portfolio from Wolters Kluwer . The review appears in a special issue on preventative psychiatry.
The term epigenetics refers to chemical and structural modifications that regulate gene activity in response to stress and other environmental factors without altering the underlying DNA sequence. The best-studied example is DNA methylation, which generally silences gene promoter activity, triggering chromatin inactivation and repressing gene expression.
Epigenetic markers show “significant promise for shaping interventions to mitigate the effects of stress on health outcomes,” say Lei Cao-Lei, PhD, an assistant professor in the Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences at the University of Ottawa, and co-authors.
Comprehensive analysis aimed to link prenatal maternal stress to altered gene expression
By searching PubMed, Dr. Cao-Lei and her colleagues identified 24 research papers that address disaster-related prenatal stress, include a measure of one or more epigenetic mechanisms, and report effects on child health outcomes. The disasters studied were:
Results demonstrated the complexity of epigenetic regulation
The key findings of the review were:
Epigenetic markers have a role in stress-reduction therapy
Dr. Cao-Lei’s group explains that epigenetic markers such as DNA methylation have a dual function: they are indicators of mental disorder vulnerability but also potential targets for preventive interventions. For instance, previous research has demonstrated that cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based stress reduction can influence DNA methylation levels, potentially preventing or reversing the adverse epigenetic modifications associated with stress exposure.
“Epigenetic interventions hold promise for promoting resilience and reducing risk of long-term health issues by modifying epigenetic patterns associated with early-life stress, particularly in prenatal and early-life contexts,” the authors conclude. “As understanding of these mechanisms deepens, integrating epigenetics into intervention strategies could revolutionize prevention and treatment of stress-related health conditions.”
Wolters Kluwer provides trusted clinical technology and evidence-based solutions that engage clinicians, patients, researchers, and students in effective decision-making and outcomes across health care. We support clinical effectiveness, learning and research, clinical surveillance, and compliance, as well as data solutions. For more information about our solutions, visit https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/health .
###
About Wolters Kluwer
Wolters Kluwer (EURONEXT: WKL) is a global leader in information, software solutions and services for professionals in health care; tax and accounting; financial and corporate compliance; legal and regulatory; corporate performance; and ESG. We help our customers make critical decisions every day by providing expert solutions that combine deep domain knowledge with technology and services.
Wolters Kluwer reported 2024 annual revenues of €5.9 billion. The group serves customers in over 180 countries, maintains operations in over 40 countries, and employs approximately 21,600 people worldwide. The company is headquartered in Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands.
For more information, visit www.wolterskluwer.com and follow us on LinkedIn , Facebook , YouTube and Instagram .
Harvard Review of Psychiatry
Epigenetic Insights into the Impact of Disaster-Related Prenatal Stress: A Narrative Review
8-Jan-2026