Children of Depressive Mothers Suffer Development Delays

Children whose mothers suffer depression in pregnancy are 34% more likely to experience delays to their development, research out today suggests.

The study is one of only a few to assess the impact of depression in pregnancy separately from postnatal depression, which affects women following childbirth.

Dr Toity Deave, from the Centre for Child and Adolescent Health at the University of the West of England, and lead author on the paper, said: "I believe the most important finding from our study is that maternal antenatal depression has a negative impact on children's cognitive development, even when postnatal depression has been taken into account.

"The other important message is that it is the persistence of depression, as well as the intensity of antenatal depression, that has an impact on the child."

A total of 11,098 women took part in the study, published in the journal BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

It found that 8,262 (74.4%) women were not depressed either antenatally (during pregnancy) or postnatally.

A total of 1,565 (14.1%) women were depressed on at least one occasion antenatally but not postnatally, while 537 (4.8%) women were depressed on at least one of two occasions when they were tested postnatally, but at neither occasion during pregnancy. A total of 156 (1.4%) women were persistently depressed both antenatally and postnatally.

Data was therefore available on 9,244 (83%) women for the period they were pregnant.

The authors said they found an association between "persistent depression during pregnancy and developmental delay, with a 50% increase in the odds of developmental delay associated with persistent antenatal depression".

And they said the findings could better inform health workers treating pregnant women.

"These findings add to the growing body of research, suggesting that maternal psychological wellbeing during pregnancy has important consequences for child development.

"Women who are between 15 and 44 years form a group in which depression is the leading cause of disease burden worldwide.

"Therefore, obstetricians, midwives and GPs can play an active role in assessing and identifying maternal depression.

"Family and personal histories of depression and postpartum depression are known risk factors, and therefore, the use of these by healthcare professionals may be helpful in identifying women at risk.

"This is highly relevant for practice because maternal mental health problems are associated with the health of women's partners, their children's health, development and use of health services."

The study was carried out by researchers from the University of the West of England and the University of Bristol.

It used data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children on women who had an estimated date of delivery between April 1991 and December 1992.

Professor Philip Steer, editor-in-chief of BJOG, said: "Although there is clear evidence that women who experience antenatal depression are more likely to develop postnatal depression, little research has looked separately at antenatal depression and its effects on child development.

"This study is important because it has done just that and has found a significant link.

"Maternal depression, both antenatally and postnatally, has a significant impact on women and their families.

"It is essential for doctors, midwives and other healthcare professionals to be aware and play an active role in assessing and identifying maternal depression, so that those at risk can receive appropriate support and care during pregnancy and post-birth."

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