70: Prenatal depression and anxiety is associated with Hypothalamic Pituitary Adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation

HPA axis dysregulation has been implicated in the pathogenesis of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. We hypothesized that perinatal depression and anxiety would be associated with HPA axis dysregulation, indexed by loss of expected associations in adrenocorticotropic (ACTH)-cortisol (CRT) coupling. Women intending to breastfeed were recruited in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy. Past or current depression or anxiety disorders were assessed by...