Objective: To test the hypothesis that adolescents who experience a decrease in depressive symptomatology during gestation give birth to larger, gestationally older infants than do adolescents who do not experience a decrease in depressive symptomatology during gestation. Method: We studied 122 poor, black 12- through 19-year-olds enrolled in an adolescent-oriented prenatal program. The subjects completed two psychological evaluations during gestation. Infant birth weight and gestational age were analyzed in relation to change in depressive symptomatology. Results: We found no relationship between change in depressive symptomatology and maternal age, socioeconomic status, adequacy of prenatal care, living arrangements, gestational weight gain, or substance abuse. At enrollment, subjects who experienced a decrease in depressive symptoms during gestation had significantly higher depression and worry scores and significantly lower social support scores. During gestation these young women reported a more significant decrease in worries and increase in family support than did young women who did not experience a decrease in depressive symptoms during gestation. Change in depressive symptomatology was also significantly related to the duration of gestation (r = 0.26; p = 0.004). Conclusions: This study suggests that changes in the intensity of maternal psychological distress during gestation may be associated with changes in maternal social support and measurable biologic effects on the fetus.

Change in depressive symptoms during pregnancy: Relationship to birth outcome

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