Maternal depressive symptoms throughout pregnancy are associated with increased placental glucocorticoid sensitivity

2015 ◽  
Vol 45 (10) ◽  
pp. 2023-2030 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. M. Reynolds ◽  
A.-K. Pesonen ◽  
J. R. O'Reilly ◽  
S. Tuovinen ◽  
M. Lahti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Effect Size ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Maternal Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Placental Function ◽  
Messenger Ribonucleic Acid ◽  
Expression Of Genes ◽  
Prediction And Prevention ◽  
Mr Effect

BackgroundMaternal prenatal depression predicts post-partum depression and increases risk of prematurity and low birth weight. These effects may be mediated by altered placental function. We hypothesized that placental function would be influenced by the gestational week of experiencing depressive symptoms and aimed to examine associations between maternal depressive symptoms during pregnancy and placental expression of genes involved in glucocorticoid and serotonin transfer between mother and fetus.MethodWe studied women participating in a prospective pregnancy cohort: the Prediction and Prevention of Preeclampsia (PREDO) Study, Helsinki, Finland. Maternal depressive symptoms were assessed at 2-week intervals throughout pregnancy in 56 healthy women with singleton, term pregnancies. Messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) levels of glucocorticoid (GR) and mineralocorticoid (MR) receptors and serotonin transporter (SLC6A4), 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (HSD1) and 2 (HSD2) were quantified in placental biopsies.ResultsIn adjusted analyses women who reported higher depressive symptoms across the whole pregnancy had higher mRNA levels of GR [effect size 0.31 s.d. units, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.01–0.60, p = 0.042] and MR (effect size 0.34 s.d. units, 95% CI 0.01–0.68, p = 0.047). These effects were significant for symptoms experienced in the third trimester of pregnancy for GR; findings for MR were also significant for symptoms experienced in the second trimester. GR and MR mRNA levels increased linearly by having the trimester-specific depressive symptoms scores 0, 1 or 2–3 times above the clinical cut-off for depression (p = 0.003, p = 0.049, respectively, and p = 0.004, p = 0.15 in adjusted analyses).ConclusionsOur findings offer potential gestational-age-specific mechanisms linking maternal depressive symptoms during pregnancy via placental biology. Future studies will test whether these also link with adverse offspring outcomes.

scholarly journals Maternal depressive symptoms during pregnancy, placental expression of genes regulating glucocorticoid and serotonin function and infant regulatory behaviors

2015 ◽  
Vol 45 (15) ◽  
pp. 3217-3226 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Räikkönen ◽  
A.-K. Pesonen ◽  
J. R. O'Reilly ◽  
S. Tuovinen ◽  
M. Lahti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Fetal Brain ◽  
Epidemiologic Studies ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Maternal Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Behavioral Challenges ◽  
Expression Of Genes ◽  
Unit Increase

Background.Glucocorticoids and serotonin may mediate the link between maternal environment, fetal brain development and ‘programming’ of offspring behaviors. The placenta regulates fetal exposure to maternal hormonal signals in animal studies, but few data address this in humans. We measured prospectively maternal depressive symptoms during pregnancy and mRNAs encoding key gene products determining glucocorticoid and serotonin function in term human placenta and explored associations with infant regulatory behaviors.Method.Bi-weekly self-ratings of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale from 12th to 13th gestational week onwards and term placental mRNAs of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (HSD2B11), type 1 (HSD1B11), glucocorticoid (NR3C1), mineralocorticoid receptors (NR3C2) and serotonin transporter (SLC6A4) were obtained from 54 healthy mothers aged 32.2 ± 5.3 years with singleton pregnancies and without pregnancy complications. Infant regulatory behaviors (crying, feeding, spitting, elimination, sleeping and predictability) were mother-rated at 15.6 ± 4.2 days.Results.Higher placental mRNA levels of HSD2B11 [0.41 standard deviation (s.d.) unit increase per s.d. unit increase; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.13–0.69, p = 0.005], HSD1B11 (0.30, 0.03–0.57, p = 0.03), NR3C1 (0.44, 0.19–0.68, p = 0.001) and SLC6A4 (0.26, 0.00–0.53, p = 0.05) were associated with more regulatory behavioral challenges of the infant. Higher placental NR3C1 mRNA partly mediated the association between maternal depressive symptoms during pregnancy and infant regulatory behaviors (p < 0.05).Conclusions.Higher placental expression of genes regulating feto-placental glucocorticoid and serotonin exposure is characteristic of infants with more regulatory behavioral challenges. Maternal depression acts, at least partly, via altering glucocorticoid action in the placenta to impact on offspring regulatory behaviors.

scholarly journals Maternal Depressive Symptoms at 2 to 4 Months Post Partum and Early Parenting Practices

2006 ◽  
Vol 160 (3) ◽  
pp. 279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn Taaffe McLearn ◽  
Cynthia S. Minkovitz ◽  
Donna M. Strobino ◽  
Elisabeth Marks ◽  
William Hou
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Parenting Practices ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Maternal Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Early Parenting

Maternal depressive symptoms and early childhood cognitive development: a meta-analysis

2016 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 680-689 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Liu ◽  
S. Kaaya ◽  
J. Chai ◽  
D. C. McCoy ◽  
P. J. Surkan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Cognitive Development ◽  
Maternal Mental Health ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Univariate Analysis ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Maternal Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Child Cognitive Development

BackgroundPrevious findings have been mixed regarding the relationship between maternal depressive symptoms and child cognitive development. The objective of this study was to systematically review relevant literature and to perform a meta-analysis.MethodThree electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO) were searched. Initial screening was conducted independently by two reviewers. Studies selected for detailed review were read in full and included based on a set of criteria. Data from selected studies were abstracted onto a standardized form. Meta-analysis using the inverse variance approach and random-effects models was conducted.ResultsThe univariate analysis of 14 studies revealed that maternal depressive symptoms are related to lower cognitive scores among children aged ⩽56 months (Cohen's d = −0.25, 95% CI −0.39 to −0.12). The synthesis of studies controlling for confounding variables showed that the mean cognitive score for children 6–8 weeks post-partum whose mothers had high depressive symptoms during the first few weeks postpartum was approximately 4.2 units lower on the Mental Developmental Index (MDI) of the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (BSID) compared with children with non-symptomatic mothers (B̂ = −4.17, 95% CI −8.01 to −0.32).ConclusionsThe results indicated that maternal depressive symptoms are related to lower cognitive scores in early infancy, after adjusting for confounding factors. An integrated approach for supporting child cognitive development may include program efforts that promote maternal mental health in addition to family economic wellbeing, responsive caregiving, and child nutrition.

Interpersonal violence during pregnancy: Enduring effects in the post-partum period and implications for the intergenerational transmission of risk

2018 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
pp. 195-203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura E. Miller-Graff ◽  
Amy K. Nuttall ◽  
Jennifer E. B. Lefever
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Interpersonal Violence ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Behavioral Adjustment ◽  
Maternal Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Transition To Motherhood ◽  
Responsive Behavior ◽  
Violence During Pregnancy ◽  
Risk Of Exposure

Women are at greater risk of exposure to interpersonal violence during pregnancy. The influence prenatal violence has on children’s behavioral adjustment is generally understood to stem from its impact on mothers, but there is a dearth of prospective research to test these models. The current study evaluated the influence of interpersonal violence during pregnancy on children’s behavioral adjustment in toddlerhood through the mother’s mental health and parenting in infancy. Data were drawn from a longitudinal study on the transition to motherhood ( N = 682). Mothers reported on their experiences of violence during pregnancy, depression at 6 months, and their children’s behavior at 24 months. Warm, responsive behavior was coded at 8 months. Prenatal experiences of violence predicted toddlers’ aggression/defiance toward mothers through maternal depressive symptoms and parenting in infancy. There were no effects on the toddlers’ aggression toward their peers. Interpersonal violence in pregnancy was linked to aggression/defiance toward mothers in early childhood via cascading negative effects on maternal depressive symptoms and parenting.

Maternal depressive symptoms predict adolescent healthcare utilization and charges in youth with Type 1 diabetes (T1D).

2013 ◽  
Vol 32 (9) ◽  
pp. 1013-1022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyle M. Clayton ◽  
Sunita M. Stewart ◽  
Deborah J. Wiebe ◽  
Charles E. McConnel ◽  
Carroll W. Hughes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Type 1 Diabetes ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Healthcare Utilization ◽  
Maternal Depressive Symptoms

scholarly journals Maternal depressive symptoms and children's academic performance: sex differences in the mediating role of school experiences

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Marilyn N. Ahun ◽  
Lamprini Psychogiou ◽  
Frédéric Guay ◽  
Michel Boivin ◽  
Richard E. Tremblay ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Peer Victimization ◽  
School Engagement ◽  
School Experiences ◽  
Maternal Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Reading And Writing ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Writing Scores

Abstract Background Maternal depressive symptoms (MDSs) are negatively associated with children's academic performance, with stronger effects sometimes reported in boys. However, few studies have tested the mechanisms of this association. We examined the mediating role of school engagement and peer victimization in this association and tested for sex differences. Methods Participants were 1173 families from a population-based longitudinal Canadian study. MDSs were self-reported annually using the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (child's age: 5 months to 5 years). Data on mediators (peer victimization, cognitive, behavioral, and emotional school engagement) were reported annually from ages 6–10 by multiple informants including children, parents, and teachers using items from validated scales. Mathematics, reading, and writing exam scores at age 12 were obtained from standardized exams administered by Québec's Ministry of Education and Teaching. Structural equation modeling was used to test mediation by school experiences in boys and girls. Results Exposure to MDSs was negatively associated with mathematics, reading, and writing scores in girls and with mathematics only in boys. Cognitive and behavioral engagement significantly mediated the association between MDSs and mathematics, reading, and writing scores in girls. There were no significant mediators for boys. Conclusions Prevention and intervention strategies aiming to improve school engagement might be beneficial for daughters of mothers experiencing depressive symptoms. Further research is needed to replicate these findings and to identify the mechanisms explaining this association in boys.

scholarly journals Maternal Depressive Symptoms and Their Association with Breastfeeding and Child Weight Outcomes

Children ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 233
Author(s):  
María Pineros-Leano ◽  
Jaclyn A. Saltzman ◽  
Janet M. Liechty ◽  
Salma Musaad ◽  
Liliana Aguayo
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass Index ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Analysis Of Covariance ◽  
Physical Growth ◽  
Maternal Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Developmental Problems ◽  
Child Weight ◽  
Child Body Mass Index ◽  
Weight Outcomes

Children of mothers with depressive symptoms are at a higher risk for psychosocial, behavioral, and developmental problems. However, the effects of maternal depression on children’s physical growth are not well understood. To address the gaps in the literature, this study examined the association between maternal depressive symptoms, breastfeeding behaviors, and child weight outcomes. Data from 204 mother–child dyads who participated in the STRONG Kids 1 Study were used. Mothers and children were assessed twice when the children were 3 and 4 years old. Height and weight measurements of children and mothers were collected by trained researchers during both assessments. Multiple linear regression and analysis of covariance tests were used to examine the associations between maternal depressive symptoms, breastfeeding, and age and sex-adjusted child body mass index percentile. Recurrent maternal depressive symptoms when the child was 3 and 4 years old were not associated with child body mass index percentiles (BMI-P) at age 4. Mothers who breastfed for at least 6 months had significantly lower depressive symptoms when their children were 3 years of age, but the differences did not persist at age 4. In this community sample, maternal depressive symptoms were not associated with child BMI-P, regardless of breastfeeding duration.

scholarly journals Trajectories of maternal depressive symptoms and offspring’s risk behavior in early adolescence: data from the 2004 Pelotas birth cohort study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Beatriz Bozzini ◽  
Jessica Mayumi Maruyama ◽  
Tiago N. Munhoz ◽  
Aluísio J. D. Barros ◽  
Fernando C. Barros ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Maternal Depression ◽  
Risk Behavior ◽  
Birth Cohort ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Birth Cohort Study ◽  
Maternal Depressive Symptoms

Abstract Background This longitudinal study explored the relationship between trajectories of maternal depressive symptoms and offspring’s risk behavior in adolescence contributing to an extremely scarce literature about the impacts of maternal depression trajectories on offspring risk behaviors. Methods We included 3437 11-year-old adolescents from the 2004 Pelotas Birth Cohort Study. Trajectories of maternal depressive symptoms were constructed using Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EDPS) from age 3 months to 11 years. We identified five trajectories of maternal depressive symptoms: “low” “moderate low”, “increasing”, “decreasing”, and “chronic high”. The following adolescent outcomes were identified via self-report questionnaire and analyzed as binary outcome –yes/no: involvement in fights and alcohol use at age 11. We used logistic regression models to examine the effects of trajectories of maternal depressive symptoms on offspring’s risk behavior adjusting for potential confounding variable. Results Alcohol use and/or abuse as well as involvement in fights during adolescence, were not significantly associated with any specific trajectory of maternal depressive symptoms neither in the crude nor in the adjusted analyses. Conclusion Alcohol use and involvement in fights at age 11 were not associated with any specific trajectory of maternal depression.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document