Authors:	Ernst, Mareike Reiner, Iris Fieß, Achim Tibubos, Ana N. Schulz, Andreas Burghardt, Juliane Klein, Eva M. Brähler, Elmar Wild, Philipp S. Münzel, Thomas König, Jochem Lackner, Karl J. Pfeiffer, Norbert Michal, Matthias Wiltink, Jörg Beutel, Manfred E.
Title:	Sex‑dependent associations of low birth weight and suicidal ideation in adulthood : a community‑based cohort study
Online publication date:	22-Apr-2022
Year of first publication:	2020
Language:	english
Abstract:	Low birth weight (LBW; < 2,500 g) has been identified as a risk factor for adverse mental health outcomes over the life span. However, little is known about the association of LBW and suicidal ideation in middle and late adulthood. We investigated N = 8,278 participants of a representative community cohort: 3,849 men (46.5%) and 4,429 women (53.5%) (35–74 years of age). We assessed standardized measures of mental distress, sociodemographics, health behavior, and somatic factors (based on an extensive medical assessment). Controlling for these confounders, we examined the relationship of birth weight and suicidal ideation in logistic regression models. As men and women differ with regard to their susceptibility to suicidal ideation and behavior, we tested sex-dependent effects. LBW was reported by 458 participants (5.5%). In men, LBW was associated with a higher likelihood of reporting suicidal ideation (OR 2.92, 95% CI 1.58–5.12). In women, there was no such relationship. The findings underscore the interrelatedness of the physical and psychological domain, the role of early adversity in suicidal ideation, and they identify a vulnerable group whose numbers are expected to grow. They also indicate other risk factors for suicidal ideation in the community (mental distress, lack of social support, and health risk behavior).
DDC:	610 Medizin 610 Medical sciences
Institution:	Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz
Department:	FB 04 Medizin
Place:	Mainz
ROR:	https://ror.org/023b0x485
DOI:	http://doi.org/10.25358/openscience-6895
Version:	Published version
Publication type:	Zeitschriftenaufsatz
License:	CC BY
Information on rights of use:	https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Journal:	Scientific reports 10
Pages or article number:	12969
Publisher:	Macmillan Publishers Limited, part of Springer Nature
Publisher place:	London
Issue date:	2020
ISSN:	2045-2322
Publisher DOI:	10.1038/s41598-020-69961-5
Appears in collections:	JGU-Publikationen