Pregnancy complications associated with childhood anxiety disorders.
To determine whether perinatal complications predict childhood anxiety disorders independently of parental psychopathology, we systematically assessed pregnancy and delivery complications and psychopathology in a sample of children (mean age=6.8 years) at high risk for anxiety disorders whose parents had panic disorder with (n=138) or without (n=26) major depression, and in contrast groups of offspring of parents with major depression alone (n=47), or no mood or anxiety disorders (n=95; total N=306). Psychopathology in the children was assessed by structured diagnostic interviews (K-SADS), and pregnancy and delivery complications were assessed using the developmental history module of the DICA-P. Number of pregnancy complications predicted multiple childhood anxiety disorders independently of parental diagnosis (odds ratio=1.6 [1.4-2.0]). This effect was accounted for by heavy bleeding requiring bed-rest, hypertension, illness requiring medical attention, and serious family problems. Associations remained significant when lifetime child mood and disruptive behavior disorders were covaried. Results suggest that prenatal stressors may increase a child's risk for anxiety disorders beyond the risk conferred by parental psychopathology alone.
Hirshfeld-Becker
Dina R
DR
Pediatric Psychopharmacology Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA. dhirshfeld@partners.org
Biederman
Joseph
J
Faraone
Stephen V
SV
Robin
Joanna A
JA
Friedman
Deborah
D
Rosenthal
Jessica M
JM
Rosenbaum
Jerrold F
JF
D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000150:complications; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000150:complications; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D011599:Psychopathology; D012307:Risk Factors