[Depression during pregnancy and preterm delivery. Epistemological aspects in research]

This paper examines recent research on the association between depression during pregnancy and preterm delivery. Dissemination of scientific information on this disease entity (depression) means that it is often present in common-sense discourse, although frequently used rather imprecisely. While various areas from the mental health field approach depression in very different ways, they suggest the influence of emotional states on organic outcomes. Still, this relationship remains difficult to prove by conventional scientific research methods. One problem in establishing associations between depression and preterm delivery appears to be due to epistemological aspects related to the theoretical demarcation of depression.