Journal article
Exploring sex differences in fetal programming for childhood emotional disorders
Psychoneuroendocrinology, Vol.141, Art. 105764
2022
Abstract
In examining maternal depression, placental 11β-HSD2 mRNA expression and offspring cortisol regulation as a potential fetal programming pathway in relation to later child emotional disorders, it has become clear that sex differences may be important to consider. This study reports on data obtained from 209 participants in the Mercy Pregnancy and Emotional Wellbeing Study (MPEWS) recruited before 20 weeks of pregnancy. Maternal depressive disorders were diagnosed using the SCID-IV and maternal childhood trauma using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. Placental 11β-HSD2 mRNA was measured using qRT-PCR. For assessment of stress-induced cortisol reactivity, salivary cortisol samples were taken at 12 months of age. At 4 years of age, measurement of Childhood Emotional Disorders (depression and anxiety) was based on maternal report using the Preschool Age Psychiatric Assessment (PAPA) and internalizing symptoms using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Maternal depression in pregnancy and postpartum, and infant cortisol reactivity, was associated with internalizing symptoms for females only. For female offspring only, increased 12-month cortisol reactivity was also associated with increased emotional disorders at 4 years of age; however, there was no association with placental 11β-HSD2 mRNA expression. In females only, the combination of lower placental 11β-HSD2 mRNA expression and higher cortisol reactivity at 12 months of age predicted increased internalising problems. These findings suggest there may be sex differences in prenatal predictors and pathways for early childhood depression and anxiety symptoms and disorder.
Details
- Title
- Exploring sex differences in fetal programming for childhood emotional disorders
- Authors/Creators
- M. Galbally (Author/Creator) - The University of Notre Dame AustraliaS.J. Watson (Author/Creator) - The University of Notre Dame AustraliaM. Lappas (Author/Creator) - Mercy Hospital for WomenE.R. de Kloet (Author/Creator) - Leiden University Medical CenterC.S. Wyrwoll (Author/Creator) - The University of Western AustraliaP.J. Mark (Author/Creator) - The University of Western AustraliaA.J. Lewis (Author/Creator) - Murdoch University
- Publication Details
- Psychoneuroendocrinology, Vol.141, Art. 105764
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ltd
- Identifiers
- 991005542702807891
- Copyright
- © 2022 Elsevier Ltd.
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Allied Health
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Citation topics
- 1 Clinical & Life Sciences
- 1.72 Obstetrics & Gynecology
- 1.72.1072 Perinatal Mental Health
- Web Of Science research areas
- Endocrinology & Metabolism
- Neurosciences
- Psychiatry
- ESI research areas
- Neuroscience & Behavior