title: Prenatal dysthymia versus major depression effects on maternal cortisol and fetal growth.
abstract: To determine differences between pregnant women diagnosed with Dysthymia versus Major Depression, depressed pregnant women (N=102) were divided by their diagnosis into Dysthymic (N=48) and Major Depression (N=54) groups and compared on self-report measures (depression, anxiety, anger, daily hassles and behavioral inhibition), on stress hormone levels (cortisol and norepinephrine), and on fetal measurements. The Major Depression group had more self-reported symptoms. However, the Dysthymic group had higher prenatal cortisol levels and lower fetal growth measurements (estimated weight, femur length, abdominal circumference) as measured at their first ultrasound (M=18 weeks gestation). Thus, depressed pregnant women with Dysthymia and Major Depression appeared to have different prenatal symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Touch Research Institutes, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33101, USA. tfield@med.miami.edu
authors.forename: Tiffany
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Field
authors.forename: Miguel A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Diego
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hernandez-Reif
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Figueiredo
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ascencio
authors.forename: Saul
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schanberg
authors.forename: Cynthia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kuhn
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D019263:Dysthymic Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D047109:Fetal Development / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000097:blood; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal
chemical_list: D006854:Hydrocortisone; D009638:Norepinephrine