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Open Access 01-10-2006 | ORIGINAL CONTRIBUTION

The effect of birth-weight with genetic susceptibility on depressive symptoms in childhood and adolescence

Authors: Frances Rice, Gordon T. Harold, Anita Thapar

Published in: European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry | Issue 7/2006

Abstract

Low birth-weight has been associated with depression and related outcomes in adults, and with problem behaviours in children. This study aimed to examine the association between low birth-weight for gestation and depressive symptoms in children and adolescents and to examine whether the relationship is moderated by genetic risk for depression. An epidemiological, genetically sensitive design was used including 2,046 twins aged 8–17 years (1,023 families). Data were obtained by parental report and analysed using regression analysis. A small but significant association between birth-weight for gestation and early depressive symptoms was observed. The unit increase in depressive symptoms per unit decrease in birth-weight for gestation was greater for individuals at genetic or familial risk for depression. For low birth-weight children, genetic risk for depression moderated the influence of birth-weight for gestation in predicting early depressive symptoms. Birth-weight for gestation is moderated by genetic and familial risk for depression in influencing early depression symptoms. These observations have clinical implications in that the impact of being small for gestational age on depressive symptoms is greater in children at familial/genetic risk although the association between birth weight and depression does not imply causality.

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Title: The effect of birth-weight with genetic susceptibility on depressive symptoms in childhood and adolescence
Authors: Frances Rice
Gordon T. Harold
Anita Thapar
Publication date: 01-10-2006
Publisher: Steinkopff-Verlag
Published in: European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry / Issue 7/2006
Print ISSN: 1018-8827
Electronic ISSN: 1435-165X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-006-0545-4

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

The effect of birth-weight with genetic susceptibility on depressive symptoms in childhood and adolescence

Abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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