Length of gestation and depressive symptoms at age 60 years

Abstract

Background: A non-optimal foetal environment, reflected in smaller birth size and shorter duration of gestation, is a risk factor for compromised health later in life. Aims: To examine whether smaller birth size and shorter gestation predict depressive symptoms. Method: A total of 1371 members of a cohort born between 1934 and 1944 at term (259-294 days' gestation) in Helsinki, Finland, completed the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale (CES-D) at an average age of 61.5 years (BDI) and 63.4 years (BDI and CES-D). Results: Gestational length predicted depressive symptoms linearly and independently of gender and birth weight: per day decrease in gestational length, depressive symptoms scores increased by 0.8-0.9% (9596 CI 0.2-1.4, P < 0.009). Weight, length and head circumference at birth showed no linear association with depression, adjusted for gender and gestational length. The results did not change when further controlled for socioeconomic characteristics at birth and in adulthood, age and body mass index in adulthood. Conclusions: Susceptibility to depressive symptoms may relate to shorter length of gestation.