Maternal postnatal depression and its impact on child neurodevelopment: a cohort study

Abstract

Introduction: Post partum depresion (DPP) is the most frequent psquiatric disorder in pregnant woman and it may affect the neurodevelopment of their offspring. Our goal was to analyze the association between maternal depressive symptoms at 6 months after birth and child’s neurodevelopmental disorders at 18 months-old, in a homogeneous population characterized by low socioeconomic
and cultural level.

Patients and Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted. There were included 127 healthy postpartum women and their infants. A structured interview was performed which included patronymic data and family perception before discharge. Binomial monitoring
took place at 6 months postpartum, when was applied the Beck test for depression and anxiety to mothers; children´s neurodevelopment at 18 month-old was evaluated by Lezine Revised Brunettest.

Results: The sample consisted of 125 women and their children. The mean age was 24.5 year old (SD 6.02); 30.6% had completed less than 6 years of formal education. The incidence of moderate to
severe postpartum depression at 6 months after birth was 20%. The overall development score mean was 73.52 (SD 8.06) in the depression population and 76.97 (SD 8.07) in the population without depression (p = 0.04). The development coefficient was 69.08 (SD: 10.35) in the depression population and 74.11 (SD 0.67) in the population without depression (p = 0.01).

Conclusions: The incidence of moderate to severe DPP was 20%. Persistent DPP in a vulnerable socio-economic context has impact
on child development.