Corticotropin-releasing hormone and cortisol: Longitudinal associations with depression and antisocial behavior in pregnant adolescents

Objective: To examine the concurrent and longitudinal associations between corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and cortisol concentrations and depre ssion and antisocial behavior (conduct disorder symptoms) in pregnant adole scents. Method: Fifty-nine adolescents were evaluated in early pregnancy (9 -21 weeks' gestation), late pregnancy (32-34 weeks' gestation), and the pos tpartum period (4-5 weeks postpartum). Symptoms of depression and conduct d isorder were obtained from the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children. Results: Lower concentrations of CRH were related to a greater number of de pression symptoms in early pregnancy (p < .05) and in late pregnancy (p < . 05). Lower concentrations of CRH also were related to a greater number of c onduct disorder symptoms in early pregnancy (p < .06) and in the postpartum period (p < .05). Conclusion: The findings support the long-standing hypot hesis that stress-related products of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ad renal a xis are associated with emotions and behavior during pregnancy.