Premium
Prenatal dysthymia versus major depression effects on maternal cortisol and fetal growth
Author(s) -
Field Tiffany,
Diego Miguel A.,
HernandezReif Maria,
Figueiredo Barbara,
Ascencio Angela,
Schanberg Saul,
Kuhn Cynthia
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
depression and anxiety
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.634
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1520-6394
pISSN - 1091-4269
DOI - 10.1002/da.20307
Subject(s) - depression (economics) , dysthymic disorder , anxiety , psychology , pregnancy , antenatal depression , gestation , endocrinology , fetus , prenatal stress , obstetrics , medicine , major depressive disorder , psychiatry , depressive symptoms , genetics , amygdala , biology , economics , macroeconomics
To determine differences between pregnant women diagnosed with Dysthymia versus Major Depression, depressed pregnant women ( N =102) were divided by their diagnosis into Dysthymic ( N =48) and Major Depression ( N =54) groups and compared on self‐report measures (depression, anxiety, anger, daily hassles and behavioral inhibition), on stress hormone levels (cortisol and norepinephrine), and on fetal measurements. The Major Depression group had more self‐reported symptoms. However, the Dysthymic group had higher prenatal cortisol levels and lower fetal growth measurements (estimated weight, femur length, abdominal circumference) as measured at their first ultrasound ( M =18 weeks gestation). Thus, depressed pregnant women with Dysthymia and Major Depression appeared to have different prenatal symptoms. Depression and Anxiety 0:1–6, 2007. Published 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.