Maternal depression linked to low cortisol levels in children

Article

Depression in mothers living in extreme poverty may be associated with low cortisol levels in their children, as reported in the Spring 2008 Development and Psychopathology.

Depression in mothers living in extreme poverty may be associated with low cortisol levels in their children, as reported in the Spring 2008 Development and Psychopathology.

Investigators studied 639 children ages 2.5 to 6 living in an area of Mexico in which the median per capita income is $730 a year (the national figure is approximately $10,000 a year). More than 60% of the children's mothers met clinical criteria for depression risk.

Higher maternal scores on the depression screening tool were linked to their children's lower overall cortisol levels. The baseline values for salivary cortisol in the children averaged 2.78 nanomoles per liter, which is roughly two to 2.5 times lower than that of a typical middle class child in the United States.

In addition, maternal depression symptoms were more greatly associated with low cortisol levels in girls than in boys.

Recent Videos
Diet, mental health, and pediatric nutrition, with Colleen Sloan, PA-C, RDN
Victor Carrion, MD
Tina Tan, MD, comments on FDA expanded approval for MenQuadfi meningococcal disease vaccine
Tina Tan, MD, discusses impact of FDA's stricter COVID-19 vaccine policy for children
Jennifer Soung, MD reacts to FDA approval of roflumilast foam 0.3%
Supporting mental health in pediatric primary care with Victor Carrion, MD
Discussing social media and potential nutrition impacts with Colleen Sloan, PA-C, RDN
Jenna Marcovitz, MA explains how music therapy helps in pediatric care
© 2025 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.