Prenatal depression effects on the fetus and the newborn

Prenatal mood and biochemistry levels were assessed in women with (N = 70) and without (N = 70) depressive symptoms during their second trimester of pregnancy. At the neonatal period maternal and neonatal biochemistry, EEG and vagal tone levels were assessed, neonatal behavioral states were observed and the Brazelton neurobehavioral assessment was conducted. The mothers with depressive symptoms had higher prenatal cortisol levels and lower dopamine and serotonin levels. Mothers with depressive symptoms were also more likely to deliver prematurely and have low birthweight babies. The newborns of mothers with depressive symptoms had higher cortisol levels and lower dopamine and serotonin levels, thus mimicking their mothers prenatal levels. On the Brazelton Scale, the newborns of depressed mothers had less optimal habituation, orientation, motor, range of state, autonomic stability and depressed scores. A path analysis was conducted to assess the effects of prenatal depression and the mothers’ prepartum biochemistry on gestational age and birthweight. As predicted in the model proposed, prenatal depression was related to prepartum cortisol and norepinephrine levels, and cortisol levels were in turn negatively related to prematurity, and norepinephrine levels were positively related to low birthweight. © 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.