Corticotropin-releasing hormone and cortisol: longitudinal associations with depression and antisocial behavior in pregnant adolescents.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the concurrent and longitudinal associations between corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and cortisol concentrations and depression and antisocial behavior (conduct disorder symptoms) in pregnant adolescents.


METHODS
Fifty-nine adolescents were evaluated in early pregnancy (9-21 weeks' gestation), late pregnancy (32-34 weeks' gestation), and the postpartum period (4-5 weeks postpartum). Symptoms of depression and conduct disorder were obtained from the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children.


RESULTS
Lower concentrations of CRH were related to a greater number of depression symptoms in early pregnancy (p < .05) and in late pregnancy (p < .05). Lower concentrations of CRH also were related to a greater number of conduct disorder symptoms in early pregnancy (p < .06) and in the postpartum period (p < .05).


CONCLUSIONS
The findings support the long-standing hypothesis that stress-related products of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis are associated with emotions and behavior during pregnancy.
Susman
E J
EJ
Department of Biobehavioral Health, Pennsylvania State University, University Park 16802, USA.
Schmeelk
K H
KH
Worrall
B K
BK
Granger
D A
DA
Ponirakis
A
A
Chrousos
G P
GP
D000293:Adolescent; D000987:Antisocial Personality Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000523:psychology; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D011247:Pregnancy
D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone