Prenatal dysthymia versus major depression effects on maternal cortisol and fetal growth.
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.
Field
Tiffany
T
Touch Research Institutes, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33101, USA. tfield@med.miami.edu
Diego
Miguel A
MA
Hernandez-Reif
Maria
M
Figueiredo
Barbara
B
Ascencio
Angela
A
Schanberg
Saul
S
Kuhn
Cynthia
C
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
D006854:Hydrocortisone; D009638:Norepinephrine