CHANGE IN DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS DURING PREGNANCY - RELATIONSHIP TO BIRTH OUTCOME

Objective: To test the hypothesis that adolescents who experience a de crease in depressive symptomatology during gestation give birth to lar ger, gestationally older infants than do adolescents who do not experi ence a decrease in depressive symptomatology during gestation. Method: We studied 122 poor, black 12- through 19-year-olds enrolled in an ad olescent-oriented prenatal program. The subjects completed two psychol ogical evaluations during gestation. Infant birth weight and gestation al age were analyzed in relation to change in depressive symptomatolog y. Results: We found no relationship between change in depressive symp tomatology and maternal age, socioeconomic status, adequacy of prenata l care, living arrangements, gestational weight gain, or substance abu se. At enrollment, subjects who experienced a decrease in depressive s ymptoms during gestation had significantly higher depression and worry scores and significantly lower social support scores. During gestatio n these young women reported a more significant decrease in worries an d increase in family support than did young women who did not experien ce a decrease in depressive symptoms during gestation. Change in depre ssive symptomatology was also significantly related to the duration of gestation (r = 0.26; p = 0.004). Conclusions: This study suggests tha t changes in the intensity of maternal psychological distress during g estation may be associated with changes in maternal social support and measurable biologic effects on the fetus.