Psychotherapeutic treatment options for perinatal depression: emphasis on maternal-infant dyadic outcomes.

Abstract

Increasing the options for effective treatment of perinatal depression with the aim of reducing maternal and child morbidity remains a critical public health goal. An estimated 13% of women experience Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) during pregnancy1, and an even greater number (up to 51% in women of low socioeconomic status) experience depressive symptomatology2. Both elevated depressive symptomatology, as well as MDD, have been linked to a number of problematic obstetrical, infant, and parenting/attachment outcomes 3–8. Unfortunately, fewer than 20% of depressed women receive any or adequate treatment around the time of childbearing9, conferring burdensome and costly maternal and infant risk.