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Maternal depression during pregnancy is associated with increased birth weight in term infants
Author(s) -
EcklundFlores Lisa,
Myers Michael M.,
Monk Catherine,
Perez Albany,
Odendaal Hein J.,
Fifer William P.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
developmental psychobiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.055
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1098-2302
pISSN - 0012-1630
DOI - 10.1002/dev.21496
Subject(s) - depression (economics) , pregnancy , medicine , obstetrics , low birth weight , birth weight , comorbidity , pediatrics , psychiatry , biology , economics , genetics , macroeconomics
Previous research of maternal depression during pregnancy suggests an association with low birth weight in newborns. Review of these studies reveals predominant comorbidity with premature birth. This current study examines antenatal depression and birth weight in term, medically low‐risk pregnancies. Maternal physiological and demographic measures were collected as well. In total, 227 pregnant women were recruited to participate in four experimental protocols at Columbia University Medical Center. Results indicate that depressed pregnant women who carry to term had significantly higher heart rates, lower heart rate variability, and gave birth to heavier babies than those of pregnant women who were not depressed. Low income participants had significantly higher levels of depression, as well as significantly higher heart rates and lower heart rate variability, than those in higher income groups. In full‐term infants, maternal prenatal depression appears to promote higher birth weight, with elevated maternal heart rate as a likely mediating mechanism.