Maternal stress and the male foetus | Letters

When women are secure and optimistic they produce more boys than usual, writes Sebastian Kraemer

Zoe Williams cites the American sociologist Elizabeth Armstrong, who "examined the evidence for the detrimental effects of stress on a pregnancy. The only demonstrable correlation was between a profound stress event - the death of an existing child, or spouse - during pregnancy, and a negative outcome" (The Handmaid's Tale comes to life in Alabama, 2 July).

Several scientific studies have shown a significant effect on the offspring of pregnant women living in the area of catastrophic events, such as 9/11 and the earthquake in Kobe, Japan, in 1995. The ratio of boys to girls born alive a few months later is always reduced. The male foetus is more vulnerable than his female sister to death from severe maternal stress.

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