One potential intrauterine mechanism is excess glucocorticoid production due to maternal psychological distress, which could lead to impaired development of the fetal HPA axis.8 Additionally, maternal psychological distress could influence the stimulation of corticotrophin releasing hormone (CRH) secretion, which results in increased CRH levels in the fetal circulation and could overstimulate the fetal HPA axis. The gene discussed is CRH; the disease is Abnormal emotional state.