Cord Serum Cytokines at Birth and Children's Anxiety/Depression Trajectories from 3 to 8 Years: The EDEN Mother-Child Cohort

Abstract Background Recent research suggests that immune dysregulation in pregnancy could be a risk factor for anxiety/depression symptoms in offspring. Whereas animal studies have demonstrated the importance of the link between perinatal cytokines and abnormal behaviors in offspring, human epidemiological studies in this area remain limited. The objectives of the study were to describe the network of cord serum cytokines at birth and test whether they are associated with subsequent anxiety/depression symptom trajectories in offspring. Methods We used data and biological samples from 871 mother-child pairs followed up from pregnancy to 8 years of age and participating to the French mother-child cohort EDEN. Cord serum cytokines were measured at birth. Children’s symptoms of anxiety/depression were assessed with the emotional difficulties subscore of the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire at ages 3, 5 and 8 years, from which trajectories of anxiety/depression symptoms were derived. Results Results showed a significant association between cord serum interleukin (IL)-7 at birth and the trajectory of children’s anxiety/depression symptoms between ages 3 to 8 years (adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR)=0.73, 95%CI=(0.57, 0.93). The associations considered relevant confounders, including prenatal maternal depressive symptoms. Conclusions Early immune changes may contribute to subsequent anxiety/depression symptoms in childhood. Beyond the understanding of mechanisms underlying the occurrence of emotional difficulties in children, our findings open avenues for future research in human and animals.