BACKGROUND: Although there are recognised associations between psychological and immune function, the effects of maternal depressive symptoms on fetal immune development have not been investigated. METHODS: This study examined the relationship between maternal depression scores as assessed by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) in the second trimester and measure of neonatal immune function measured in cord blood. This study was conducted in a cohort of women (n=83) who had received eitherfish oil containing 3.7 g/day n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3PUFA) or a placebo from 20 weeks gestation as part of a randomised controlled trial. RESULTS: At 20 weeks gestation, prior to the intervention, 22% of women in the study manifested mild to moderate depressive symptoms (BDI > or =10). Neonates of these women had higher lymphoproliferative responses to a range of stimuli (including egg ovalbumin and cat allergen) compared with neonates of women with normal BDI scores (<10). These neonates also showed higher spontaneous cytokine production including (IL-6 and IL-10) and higher stimulated cytokine responses to both bacterial antigens and allergens. These patterns were evident after allowing for maternal age and education, parity, gestation, infant gender, delivery method and neonatal n-3/n-6 PUFA status. CONCLUSION: This exploratory study supports the notion that maternal mood in pregnancy may have the potential to influence fetal immune development. Further studies are needed to determine the significance of this.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: Although there are recognised associations between psychological and immune function, the effects of maternal depressive symptoms on fetal immune development have not been investigated. METHODS: This study examined the relationship between maternal depression scores as assessed by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) in the second trimester and measure of neonatal immune function measured in cord blood. This study was conducted in a cohort of women (n=83) who had received either fish oil containing 3.7 g/day n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3PUFA) or a placebo from 20 weeks gestation as part of a randomised controlled trial. RESULTS: At 20 weeks gestation, prior to the intervention, 22% of women in the study manifested mild to moderate depressive symptoms (BDI > or =10). Neonates of these women had higher lymphoproliferative responses to a range of stimuli (including egg ovalbumin and cat allergen) compared with neonates of women with normal BDI scores (<10). These neonates also showed higher spontaneous cytokine production including (IL-6 and IL-10) and higher stimulated cytokine responses to both bacterial antigens and allergens. These patterns were evident after allowing for maternal age and education, parity, gestation, infant gender, delivery method and neonatal n-3/n-6 PUFA status. CONCLUSION: This exploratory study supports the notion that maternal mood in pregnancy may have the potential to influence fetal immune development. Further studies are needed to determine the significance of this.
Authors: Jill Hahn; Diane R Gold; Brent A Coull; Marie C McCormick; Patricia W Finn; David L Perkins; Janet W Rich-Edwards; Sheryl L Rifas Shiman; Emily Oken; Laura D Kubzansky Journal: Psychosom Med Date: 2019-05 Impact factor: 4.312
Authors: Brian Hallahan; Timothy Ryan; Joseph R Hibbeln; Ivan T Murray; Shauna Glynn; Christopher E Ramsden; John Paul SanGiovanni; John M Davis Journal: Br J Psychiatry Date: 2016-04-21 Impact factor: 10.671
Authors: Vivian C Romero; Emily C Somers; Valerie Stolberg; Chelsea Clinton; Stephen Chensue; Zora Djuric; Deborah R Berman; Marjorie C Treadwell; Anjel M Vahratian; Ellen Mozurkewich Journal: Am J Obstet Gynecol Date: 2013-04 Impact factor: 8.661
Authors: Steven M Brunwasser; George M Slavich; Dawn C Newcomb; Tebeb Gebretsadik; Kedir N Turi; Cosby Stone; Larry J Anderson; Tina V Hartert Journal: Brain Behav Immun Date: 2018-12-11 Impact factor: 7.217