title: Corticotropin-releasing hormone and cortisol: longitudinal associations with depression and antisocial behavior in pregnant adolescents.
abstract: 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.
authors: Department of Biobehavioral Health, Pennsylvania State University, University Park 16802, USA.
authors: E J
authors: EJ
authors: Susman
authors: K H
authors: KH
authors: Schmeelk
authors: B K
authors: BK
authors: Worrall
authors: D A
authors: DA
authors: Granger
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Ponirakis
authors: G P
authors: GP
authors: Chrousos
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone