TY - JOUR

T1 - Hair cortisol concentrations in pregnant women with bipolar, depressive, or schizophrenic spectrum disorders

AU - Nyström-Hansen, Maja

AU - Andersen, Marianne Skovsager

AU - Davidsen, Kirstine Agnete

AU - Roehder, Katrine

AU - Trier, Christopher

AU - Nayberg, Emilie

AU - Lyons-Ruth, Karlen

AU - Harder, Susanne

N1 - © 2024. The Author(s).

PY - 2024/2/3

Y1 - 2024/2/3

N2 - PURPOSE: Maternal cortisol levels in pregnancy may support the growth of or adversely affect fetal organs, including the brain. While moderate cortisol levels are essential for fetal development, excessive or prolonged elevations may have negative health consequences for both the mother and the offspring. Little is known about predictors of altered hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity during pregnancy. This study examined maternal hair cortisol concentration (HCC) in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy in relation to severe psychopathology.METHODS: Hair samples were collected from 69 women, 32 with a lifetime diagnosis of severe mental disorders (bipolar I or II disorder, moderate or severe depressive disorder, schizophrenic spectrum disorder), and 37 non-clinical controls. Hair samples were collected during the 3rd trimester, and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry was used for cortisol assessment. Psychiatric diagnosis and current level of symptomatic functioning were assessed using the structured clinical interview from the DSM-5 and the global assessment of functioning scale.RESULTS: Women with a lifetime diagnosis of severe mental illness had significantly elevated HCC compared to controls. Poorer current symptomatic functioning was also significantly associated with elevated HCC in pregnancy.CONCLUSIONS: The implications of alterations in HCC on both maternal and infant health need further study.

AB - PURPOSE: Maternal cortisol levels in pregnancy may support the growth of or adversely affect fetal organs, including the brain. While moderate cortisol levels are essential for fetal development, excessive or prolonged elevations may have negative health consequences for both the mother and the offspring. Little is known about predictors of altered hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity during pregnancy. This study examined maternal hair cortisol concentration (HCC) in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy in relation to severe psychopathology.METHODS: Hair samples were collected from 69 women, 32 with a lifetime diagnosis of severe mental disorders (bipolar I or II disorder, moderate or severe depressive disorder, schizophrenic spectrum disorder), and 37 non-clinical controls. Hair samples were collected during the 3rd trimester, and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry was used for cortisol assessment. Psychiatric diagnosis and current level of symptomatic functioning were assessed using the structured clinical interview from the DSM-5 and the global assessment of functioning scale.RESULTS: Women with a lifetime diagnosis of severe mental illness had significantly elevated HCC compared to controls. Poorer current symptomatic functioning was also significantly associated with elevated HCC in pregnancy.CONCLUSIONS: The implications of alterations in HCC on both maternal and infant health need further study.

U2 - 10.1007/s00737-024-01434-4

DO - 10.1007/s00737-024-01434-4

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 38308143

JO - Archives of Women's Mental Health

JF - Archives of Women's Mental Health

SN - 1434-1816

ER -