3 research outputs found
Broader autism phenotype as a risk factor for postpartum depression: Hamamatsu Birth Cohort (HBC) Study
AbstractThe broader autism phenotype (BAP), which refers to the expression of behavioral and cognitive propensities that are milder but qualitatively similar to those defining autism spectrum disorder, can play a crucial role in postpartum depression (PPD). We investigated whether pregnant women's BAP would increase the risk for PPD, using a representative birth cohort in Japan. Pregnant women were enrolled in the Hamamatsu Birth Cohort (HBC) Study during their mid-gestation (N=841) and were followed up until 3 months after delivery. BAP was measured mainly during the 2nd trimester of the pregnancy by using the Broader Phenotype Autism Symptoms Scale. Participants scoring 9 points or higher on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale at least once during the first 3 months after childbirth were diagnosed with PPD. Among participants, 128 (15.2%) women were found to have PPD. Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that BAP were associated with PPD (OR=1.19, 95% CI [1.07–1.31]), even after controlling for other potential confounders. In addition, the association was not moderated by history of depression and/or anxiety disorders, including concurrent depressive and anxiety symptoms during pregnancy. The findings suggest that pregnant women with BAP have an elevated risk for PPD
Season of Birth Predicts Emotional and Behavioral Regulation in 18-Month-Old Infants: Hamamatsu Birth Cohort for Mothers and Children (HBC Study)
Background: Previous research has demonstrated that the season of birth may predict development of emotional and behavioral regulation during childhood or adolescence. This study examined whether the season of birth predicts effortful control (i.e., the ability to voluntarily choose course of actions during conflict and to plan for the future) and aggression (i.e., the use of physical force and expression of anger toward others) in 18-month-old infants.Methods: Participants included 885 infants who were enrolled in the Hamamatsu Birth Cohort for Mothers and Children in Hamamatsu, Japan. Seasons of birth were categorized into winter (December, January, and February), spring (March, April, and May), summer (June, July, and August), and autumn (September, October, and November). At 18 months of age, effortful control was assessed using the Early Childhood Behavior Questionnaire, and aggression was measured using the Cardiff Infant Contentiousness Scale. Structural equation modeling analysis with measurement and structural equations was conducted to test our prediction.Results: Effortful control was higher in infants born in spring (B = 0.095, 95% CI [0.014 to 0.175], p = 0.021, = 0.146) and summer (B = 0.078, 95% CI [0.001 to 0.156], p = 0.049, = 0.118) than in those born in winter. In addition, aggression was lower in those born in spring (B = −0.286, 95% CI [−0.551 to −0.021], p = 0.035, = −0.135) than those born in winter, even after controlling for seven covariates.Conclusion: The findings suggest that season of birth may determine development of emotional and behavioral regulation skills during early infancy. Future research should pay more attention to the underlying mechanisms of the effects of birth season on development of emotional and behavioral regulation during infancy