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Preterm birth, birthweight, and subsequent risk for depression

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 October 2023

Neha Rahalkar ,
Aaron Holman-Vittone ,
Christian Daniele ,
Rachel Wacks ,
Autumn Gagnon ,
Amy D’Agata ,
Nazmus Saquib Open the ORCID record for Nazmus Saquib [Opens in a new window] ,
Peter F. Schnatz ,
Mary C. Sullivan  and
Robert Wallace
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Neha Rahalkar
Affiliation:
Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
Aaron Holman-Vittone
Affiliation:
Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
Christian Daniele
Affiliation:
Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
Rachel Wacks
Affiliation:
Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
Autumn Gagnon
Affiliation:
Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
Amy D’Agata
Affiliation:
College of Nursing, University of Rhode Island, Providence, RI, USA
Nazmus Saquib
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, Sulaiman Al Rajhi University, Al Bukairiyah, Saudi Arabia
Peter F. Schnatz
Affiliation:
Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, West Reading, PA, USA
Mary C. Sullivan
Affiliation:
Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, West Reading, PA, USA
Robert Wallace
Affiliation:
Department of Epidemiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
Cassandra N. Spracklen*
Affiliation:
Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
*
Corresponding author: C. N. Spracklen; Email: cspracklen@umass.edu
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Abstract

An individual’s birthweight, a marker of in utero exposures, was recently associated with certain psychiatric conditions. However, studies investigating the relationship between an individual’s preterm birth status and/or birthweight and risk for depression during adulthood are sparse; we used data from the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) to investigate these potential associations. At study entry, 86,925 postmenopausal women reported their birthweight by category (<6 lbs., 6–7 lbs. 15 oz., 8–9 lbs. 15 oz., or ≥10 lbs.) and their preterm birth status (full-term or ≥4 weeks premature). Women also completed the Burnham screen for depression and were asked to self-report if: (a) they had ever been diagnosed with depression, or (b) if they were taking antidepressant medications. Linear and logistic regression models were used to estimate unadjusted and adjusted effect estimates. Compared to those born weighing between 6 and 7 lbs. 15 oz., individuals born weighing <6 lbs. (βadj = 0.007, P < 0.0001) and ≥10 lbs. (βadj = 0.006, P = 0.02) had significantly higher Burnam scores. Individuals born weighing <6 lbs. were also more likely to have depression (adjOR 1.21, 95% CI 1.11–1.31). Individuals born preterm were also more likely to have depression (adjOR 1.18, 95% CI 1.02–1.35); while attenuated, this association remained in analyses limited to only those reportedly born weighing <6 lbs. Our research supports the role of early life exposures on health risks across the life course. Individuals born at low or high birthweights and those born preterm may benefit from early evaluation and long-term follow-up for the prevention and treatment of mental health outcomes.

Keywords

preterm birthlow birthweightdepressionCES-Dburnam screenpostmenopausal womenbarker hypothesis
Type
Original Article
Information
Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease , Volume 14 , Issue 5 , October 2023 , pp. 623 - 630
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2023. Published by Cambridge University Press in association with The International Society for Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD)

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Footnotes

†

Rahalkar and Holman-Vittone are contributed equally to this project.

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