Low birth weight and features of neuroticism and mood disorder in 83 545 participants of the UK Biobank cohort

Lyall, D. , Mackay, D. , Pell, J. and Smith, D. (2016) Low birth weight and features of neuroticism and mood disorder in 83 545 participants of the UK Biobank cohort. BJPsych Open, 2(1), pp. 38-44. (doi: 10.1192/bjpo.bp.115.002154) (PMID:27703752) (PMCID:PMC4995581)

Abstract

Background: Low birth weight has been inconsistently associated with risk of developing affective disorders, including major depressive disorder (MDD). To date, studies investigating possible associations between birth weight and bipolar disorder (BD), or personality traits known to predispose to affective disorders such as neuroticism, have not been conducted in large cohorts. Aims: To assess whether very low birth weight (7LT;1500 g) and low birth weight (1500–2490 g) were associated with higher neuroticism scores assessed in middle age, and lifetime history of either MDD or BD. We controlled for possible confounding factors. Method: Retrospective cohort study using baseline data on the 83 545 UK Biobank participants with detailed mental health and birth weight data. Main outcomes were prevalent MDD and BD, and neuroticism assessed using the Eysenck Personality Inventory Neuroticism scale - Revised (EPIN-R) Results: Referent to normal birth weight, very low/low birth weight were associated with higher neuroticism scores, increased MDD and BD. The associations between birth weight category and MDD were partially mediated by higher neuroticism. Conclusions: These findings suggest that intrauterine programming may play a role in lifetime vulnerability to affective disorders.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Smith, Professor Daniel and Mackay, Professor Daniel and Pell, Professor Jill and Lyall, Dr Donald
• Authors: Lyall, D., Mackay, D., Pell, J., and Smith, D.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Public Health
• Journal Name: BJPsych Open
• Publisher: Royal College of Psychiatrists
• ISSN: 2056-4724
• ISSN (Online): 2056-4724
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2016 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
• First Published: First published in British Journal of Psychiatry Open 2(1):38-44
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License