Study Report
Reference
| Citation | Marcus, 2011 PubMed |
| Full Info | Marcus, S., Lopez, J.F., McDonough, S., Mackenzie, M.J., Flynn, H., Neal, C.R., Jr., Gahagan, S., Volling, B., Kaciroti, N. and Vazquez, D.M. (2011) Depressive symptoms during pregnancy: impact on neuroendocrine and neonatal outcomes. Infant Behav Dev, 34, 26-34.
|
Study
| Hypothesis or Background |
To explore the interplay of maternal depressive symptoms on the infant limbic-hypothalamic-pituitary axis (LHPA) and neurological development.
|
| Sample Information | pregnant women |
|---|
| Method Detail | Pregnant women were monitored for depressive symptoms using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) at 28, 32, and 37 weeks of gestation and at delivery. A mixture growth curve analysis divided the women into three risk groups: low/stable, intermediate, and high/increasing depression based on BDI scores. The infant neuroendocrine system was examined using cord blood for adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol measurements. Two-week-old infants were examined using Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Neurobehavioral Scale (NNNS). |
| Method Keywords | blood analysis; psychometric method |
| Result | Infants born to women of the high/increasing depression group had significant ACTH elevation at birth. On NNNS examination, these infants were more hypotonic and habituated to auditory and visual stimuli. |
| Conclusions | When compared to non-depressed women, maternal depressive symptoms, even in the absence of major depressive disorder, appeared to facilitate a different developmental pathway for the infant LHPA and early neurological development. |
Relationships reported by
Marcus, 2011
| Component A Approved Name (Name in Paper) |
Component A Type |
Component B Approved Name (Name in Paper) |
Component B Type |
Statistical Result |
Relationship Description |
Result Category (Positive/Negative)) |
|
Depressed mood (depression)
|
symptoms |
Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (limbic-hypothalamic-pituitary axis (LHPA)) |
neurobiological system |
|
When compared to non-depressed women, maternal depressive symptoms, even in the absence of major depressive disorder, appeared to facilitate a different developmental pathway for the infant LHPA and early neurological development. |
Positive
|
|
Depressed mood (depression)
|
symptoms |
Pro-opiomelanocortin (adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH)) |
protein |
|
Infants born to women of the high/increasing depression group had significant ACTH elevation at birth. |
Positive
|
