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Depression has been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, including reduced fetal growth and birth weight. These researchers investigated whether dysthymia and major depression had different effects on measures of maternal psychological symptoms, maternal stress hormones, and fetal growth.
Among 280 pregnant women who were screened at the time of their first ultrasound (i.e., 16–22 weeks of pregnancy), 48 met diagnostic criteria for dysthymic disorder only and 54 met criteria for major depression only. Participants did not have other mood disorders, illicit drug use, or comorbid anxiety or psychotic disorders, and were not receiving depression treatment (psychotherapy or medication). Average gestational age at ultrasound was similar be…