Maternal depressive symptoms, serum folate status, and pregnancy outcome: results of the Amsterdam Born Children and their Development study

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to explore whether different levels of depressive symptoms in pregnant women and their serum folate status combined were associated with the gestational age and birthweight of their offspring. STUDY DESIGN: Data were derived from pregnant women in Amsterdam who completed a questionnaire covering depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale) and from whom blood samples were taken to determine serum folate status. Only live-born singletons were included (n = 4044) in the multivariate regression analysis. RESULTS: When adjusted for potential confounders, only the association between major depressive symptoms and gestational age remained significant (-0.2 weeks; 95% confidence interval, -0.4 to -0.1). Women with depressive symptoms and low folate status (7.6%) experienced the shortest gestational age (38.6 weeks) and lowest birthweight (3270 g) (there was no significant interaction). CONCLUSION: Depressive symptoms were associated with shorter gestational age and related lower birthweight. The study results underline the importance of folic acid intake specifically in women suffering from depressive symptoms