A stark medical warning has been issued linking violence against pregnant women to potential intellectual disabilities in their unborn children. This critical revelation comes from Dr. Maryam Ahmed Almustapha, an Abuja-based medical specialist, who spoke on the dire consequences of physical abuse during pregnancy.
The Biological Link Between Abuse and Disability
In an interview, Dr. Almustapha detailed how trauma inflicted on expectant mothers can directly impact fetal neurodevelopment. She explained that physical abuse creates maternal stress and inflammation, which elevates cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in the mother's blood. This cfDNA reflects the fetal genome.
"Elevated cell-free DNA can lead to placental dysfunction, immune activation, and epigenetic reprogramming," Dr. Almustapha noted. She stressed that this chain of biological events ultimately disrupts the normal development of the fetal brain, potentially resulting in cognitive issues or intellectual disability in the child.
A Call for Protection and Support
The expert emphasized that cfDNA can act as a biomarker, bridging maternal mental health and fetal brain outcomes. The implications are unequivocal: pregnant women require protection and robust support systems to ensure a healthy environment for their babies' development.
This warning, issued in Lokoja on 3 January 2026, raises significant concerns for expectant mothers and the public. It underscores an urgent need for heightened awareness and concrete actions to prevent violence against pregnant women.
A Global Health Problem Demanding Local Action
Dr. Almustapha's revelation points to the vital roles of healthcare providers, policymakers, and communities in tackling this issue. The call to action is backed by alarming global statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO).
WHO reports that between 4% and 12% of pregnant women worldwide experience physical abuse, highlighting the scale of this public health crisis. Pregnant women are identified as a particularly vulnerable group.
This situation underscores the profound importance of addressing maternal well-being and safety as a non-negotiable component of ensuring the health of both mother and child.
