Length of gestation and depressive symptoms at age 60 years.
BACKGROUND
A non-optimal foetal environment, reflected in smaller birth size and shorter duration of gestation, is a risk factor for compromised health later in life.


OBJECTIVE
To examine whether smaller birth size and shorter gestation predict depressive symptoms.


METHODS
A total of 1371 members of a cohort born between 1934 and 1944 at term (259-294 days'gestation) in Helsinki, Finland, completed the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale (CES-D) at an average age of 61.5 years (BDI) and 63.4 years (BDI and CES-D).


RESULTS
Gestational length predicted depressive symptoms linearly and independently of gender and birth weight: per day decrease in gestational length, depressive symptoms scores increased by 0.8-0.9% (95% CI 0.2-1.4, P<0.009). Weight, length and head circumference at birth showed no linear association with depression, adjusted for gender and gestational length. The results did not change when further controlled for socio-economic characteristics at birth and in adulthood, age and body mass index in adulthood.


CONCLUSIONS
Susceptibility to depressive symptoms may relate to shorter length of gestation.
Räikkönen
Katri
K
Department of Psychology, University of Helsinki, PO Box 9, 00014 University of Helsinki, Finland. katri.raikkonen@helsinki.fi
Pesonen
Anu-Katriina
AK
Kajantie
Eero
E
Heinonen
Kati
K
Forsén
Tom
T
Phillips
David I W
DI
Osmond
Clive
C
Barker
David J P
DJ
Eriksson
Johan G
JG
D001724:Birth Weight; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000209:etiology*; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000523:psychology*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012307:Risk Factors