Abstract
Maternal depression is common, both during pregnancy and postnatally, affecting about 15% of mothers in high-income countries and more than 20% of mothers in low-income and middle-income countries.1,2 The offspring of mothers with depressive symptoms during the perinatal period have been found to be at an increased risk of many adversities, including developmental delays, behavioural problems, and psychopathology.3–6 The perinatal period offers a promising time window for aetiological studies and for preventive interventions to reduce the incidence of mental disorders in offspring.
Highlights
The perinatal period offers a promising time window for aetiological studies and for preventive interventions to reduce the incidence of mental disorders in offspring
The researchers in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) study groups have already been meritorious in perinatal psychiatric research—eg, in examining how maternal perinatal anxiety and depression might be associated with offspring depression.[8]
The findings were reported using the continuous variable of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS; 5-point increase in EPDS score adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1·26 [95% CI 1·06–1·49], p=0·0074) and the binary variable (1·49 [0·98–2·28], p=0·065, for EPDS score of >12)
Summary
Both during pregnancy and postnatally, affecting about 15% of mothers in highincome countries and more than 20% of mothers in lowincome and middle-income countries.[1,2] The offspring of mothers with depressive symptoms during the perinatal period have been found to be at an increased risk of many adversities, including developmental delays, behavioural problems, and psychopathology.[3,4,5,6] The perinatal period offers a promising time window for aetiological studies and for preventive interventions to reduce the incidence of mental disorders in offspring. In The Lancet Psychiatry, Ramya Srinivasan and colleagues[7] report the association between maternal perinatal depression and offspring psychotic experiences at the age of 18 years.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
