Does depression during gestation in adolescent mothers interfere with neonatal neurobehavior?
Infants born to adolescent mothers with depression exhibit some behavioral changes in the first days of life. These changes are associated with infant sex, gestational age, type of anesthesia, mode of delivery, and head circumference.
The study shows the lower likelihood of substance use among newer immigrants in a nationally representative sample of New Zealand youth. Policies and health programs that build on this positive profile and reduce the risk of adverse changes over time require attention.