title: Association between depressive symptoms in adolescence and birth outcomes in early adulthood using a population-based sample.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Adolescent female depressive symptomatology is an unrecognized mood disorder that impairs health in adolescence or adulthood. However, the long-term effects of pre-pregnancy depressive symptoms on birth outcomes in adulthood have not been given adequate empirical assessments.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, we assessed the relationship between the life time duration of depressive symptoms over a 14-year period and birth outcomes (LBW and PTB) among a sample of 6023 female respondents who took part in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health). We used the generalized estimating equation (GEE) models to assess these relationships.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Exposure to elevated depressive symptoms in late adolescence, but not in adulthood, was associated with increased odds of LBW by more than 2-fold in early and young adulthoods (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.19; 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.56, 3.08). Depressive symptoms in early adulthood were independently associated with increased odds of PTB and were higher for black mothers. Maternal race modified the relationship between consistent reporting of depressive symptoms in adolescence and LBW or PTB in adulthood.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provides compelling evidence that effects of elevated depressive symptomatology on LBW or PTB appear to be linked to a specific development period in adolescence. National policies to address social inequalities and stratification particularly in health at all stages of human development, will provide an important step in reducing depressive symptoms prior to early adulthood and in pregnancy and childbirth.
authors: Central Michigan University School of Health Sciences, Health Professions Building, Room 2209, Mount Pleasant, MI 48859, United States.
authors: Stephen
authors: S
authors: Nkansah-Amankra
authors: Department of Community & Behavioral Health, College of Public Health, East Tennessee State University, P.O. Box 70674, Johnson City, TN 37614-1709, United States.
authors: Grace
authors: G
authors: Tettey
keywords: Adolescence; Low birth weight; Prepregnancy depressive symptoms; Preterm birth