Mental Health Of Mothers Research Articles

Literatur Review: The Effect Of Stress During Pregnancy On Pregnancy Outcomes

The CoViD-19 pandemic requires many people to be able to adapt significantly to all changes. Pregnant women are also required to be able to adapt to everything that happens, this often puts pregnant women at risk of experiencing problems or psychological disorders because of the adaptation process that requires a lot of energy. Psychological problems or disorders such as stress are feared to have an effect on the health condition of the mother and fetus during pregnancy. This study aims to find out the influence of pregnancy stress on pregnancy outcomes. This research method is a reviewed literature that conducts searches in gscholar and pubmed with a system of article elimination according to the criteria of inclusion, exclusion and feasibility of literature. Library searches in this study successfully identified 9 articles that discussed the influence of stress in pregnancy on pregnancy outcomes. Problems, stress or psychological disorders in pregnancy can cause various health problems for both the mother and fetus, therefore the need to maintain the quality of the mother's mental health during pregnancy for the quality of maternal and fetal health during pregnancy and postpartum period.

Latina mothers' mental health: An examination of its relation to parenting and material resources.

The demands and stressors associated with motherhood can increase a mother's risk for mental health concerns. Latina mothers are particularly vulnerable to the relation between motherhood-related stressors and maternal mental health given that they are at an increased risk for mental health concerns, that they are likely to have their mental health needs go unmet, and that traditional Latinx cultural values/gender roles emphasize women assuming the role of primary caregiver of the family's children. In an attempt to better understand how motherhood impacts Latina mother's mental health, this study explored the relations among parental self-efficacy, parenting stress, and maternal mental health. This study also explored how a mother's perception of her material resources influenced these relations. One hundred and thirty-two Latina mothers completed questionnaires to assess parenting stress, parental self-efficacy, and maternal mental health risk. The moderating effect of maternal perception of material resources in the aforementioned relations was assessed through the creation of a composite variable derived from items in the demographic questionnaires. Multiple linear regression analyses were used. Higher levels of parenting stress, but not parental self-efficacy, were related to increased maternal mental health risk. Furthermore, mothers who perceived themselves to have lower material resources were at increased risk for diminished mental health in the context of low parental self-efficacy. Results of this study yielded important information that is necessary for informing healthcare best practices, identifying targets for future interventions, and ultimately improving the health outcomes of Latinx mothers and their families.

Does Perceived Partner Support Have an Impact on Mothers’ Mental Health and Parental Burnout?

This study examined the mental health of mothers, assessing the impact of the perceived availability of partner for social support on mothers’ symptoms of depression, anxiety, and parental burnout. 315 French-speaking mothers over the age of 18, with at least one child living regularly at home, completed an online set of questionnaires in a cross-sectional study. The mothers responded to the Maslach Burnout Inventory adapted to the parental context (MBI-Parental), the Social Support Questionnaire-6 (SSQ-6), and the Hospital and Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS). ANOVA and ANCOVA revealed a significant association of perceived availability and satisfaction with the partner’s social support on the mothers’ psychological state. Single mothers reported lower levels of emotional exhaustion than mothers with a partner who was perceived as unavailable or moderately available. Mothers with a partner perceived as very available showed fewer symptoms of parental burnout, anxiety, and depression than mothers whose partner was perceived as moderately available. Perceived partner support has a significant statistical impact on mothers’ mental health and may be a protective factor against parental burnout, depression, and anxiety. HIGHLIGHTS Perceived spousal support has a statistical impact on mothers’ mental health Poor perceived spousal availability contributes to parental burnout Satisfactory spousal support may protect against parental burnout

Maternal depression trajectories and child BMI in a multi-ethnic sample: a latent growth modeling analysis

BackgroundPerinatal (antenatal and postpartum) depression impacts approximately 12% of mothers. Perinatal depression can impact everyday functioning for mothers, and the relationship with, and development of, their children. The purpose of this study was to investigate depression trajectories from the antenatal period through 54-months postpartum and associations with child body mass index at 54-months postpartum.MethodsThis study applied latent growth modeling to the Growing Up in New Zealand study, which is a longitudinal pregnancy cohort study that provides nationally representative-level data, to investigate associations between depression at three time points (antenatal, 9-months postpartum, 54-months postpartum) and child body mass index at 54-months (n=4897).ResultsThe average slope of depression for this sample is low and decreases over time. When child BMI was added to the model as an outcome variable, both antenatal depression (B=.25, p<.01), and the rate of change of depression across the perinatal and postpartum periods (B=.09, p<.01) were associated with child BMI at 54-months postpartum. After controlling for sociodemographic characteristics, antenatal depression, but not the slope of depression, remained significantly associated with child BMI (B=.05, p<.05). When controlling for maternal pre-pregnancy BMI the effect of antenatal depression on child BMI at 54-months was entirely attenuated (χ2 (9) = 39.60, p < .05, SRMR = 0.01, CFI = .99, RMSEA = 0.03, BIC=53213).ConclusionsOur findings align with the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease theory and imply that both the physical and mental health of mothers during pregnancy may be important indicators of child growth and development outcomes. Early intervention directed towards women who have even mild depression scores during pregnancy may promote healthy child development outcomes. Additionally, given the heterogeneity of depressive symptoms over time seen in this study, multiple assessment periods across the postpartum period may be valuable to adequately address and support maternal mental health.

Maternal attachment representation, the risk of increased depressive symptoms and the influence on children\u2019s mental health during the SARS-CoV-2-pandemic

The social distancing measures and the related closure of education institutions have confronted young families, in particular, with various challenges. Additional risk factors such as an insecure or even unresolved maternal attachment representation may affect mental health of mothers and their children in times of increased stress such as during the ongoing pandemic. We aimed to analyze the interplay between maternal attachment representation and mother’s and children’s mental health before and during the SARS-CoV-2-pandemic. 91 mothers completed a “SARS-CoV-2 pandemic survey” examining the pandemic-related stress of their families including their own depressive symptomology and their children’s mental health. Our mediation analysis demonstrates that the mothers’ depressive symptomology significantly and fully mediated the relationship between maternal attachment representations and children’s mental health during the pandemic. In contrast, the indirect effect of the maternal attachment representation on children’s mental health before the pandemic through the depressive symptoms experienced by the mothers before the pandemic did not reach significance alongside the total and direct effect. The quality of the maternal attachment representation, promoted by childhood maltreatment, seems to be one relevant risk factor for the mothers’ and children’s mental health during a stressful time like a pandemic. The risk for mothers to develop depressive symptoms in times of a pandemic is significantly influenced by their current representation of previous attachment experiences. In addition, the mental well-being of mothers showed a considerable influence on the children’s mental health during a pandemic. The results underline the necessity to consider unique needs of family members and to offer specific support in the current crisis focusing on attachment issues.

Assess the Effectiveness of Planned Teaching on Knowledge Regarding Kangaroo Mother Care among Husbands of Primigravida Mother

Kangaroo care is a practise that allows moms and fathers to have direct skin-to-skin contact with their infants. It has been demonstrated to promote the mother's mental health, strengthen mother-infant connection, and increase maternal lactation. Many studies feel that returning to the original paradigm of infant-mother early care, rather than our current incubator, bottle, and formula-feeding model, will result in happier and healthier newborns [1].&#x0D; Objective: 1) To determine whether primigravida women' spouses have any awareness of kangaroo mother care. 2) To assess the efficiency of a planned education programme on kangaroo mother care among primigravida moms' husbands.3) To see if there's a link between post-test knowledge scores on kangaroo mother care among primigravida moms' spouses and certain demographic variables.&#x0D; Methodology: A total of 60 people took part in the research. Husbands of primigravida women from various hospitals will be used as study subjects.&#x0D; Results: There is a significant difference between pre-test and post-test knowledge scores when measuring effective planned training on knowledge about kangaroo mother care among husbands. The pretest has a mean of 8.18, while the posttest has a mean of 16.30, and the pretest has a standard deviation of 2.855, while the posttest has a standard deviation of 1.710. The t-value is 18.57, and the p-value is 0.000.&#x0D; Conclusion: As a result, the planned education on knowledge about kangaroo mother care among primigravida moms' husband is statistically interpreted. The research hypothesis was accepted in this study, while the null hypothesis was denied.

Cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of park coverage, greenness exposure and neighbourhood median household income with children's depressive and anxiety symptoms.

Internalising symptoms and disorders often emerge in childhood and are associated with negative health outcomes into adulthood. Studies have shown neighbourhood characteristics (e.g. socio-economic composition, greenspace exposure) to be associated with depression and anxiety symptoms in adults; however, research that explores these relationships longitudinally in children is lacking. This study examined cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of neighbourhood characteristics with developmental trajectories of internalising symptoms in 202 children (ages 8-12) from the Mothers' and Their Children's Health (MATCH) Study. The MATCH Study is a Los Angeles-based longitudinal observational investigation of children's health outcomes with six semi-annual assessment waves across 3 years. Latent growth curve modelling was used to examine cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between child's self-reported anxiety or depressive symptoms and their neighbourhood's park coverage, greenness exposure and median household income. All models included the following as covariates: child's age, sex, ethnicity, family household income and mother's mental health measures. Cross-sectionally, results indicated that neighbourhood median household income was negatively associated with children's depressive symptoms at baseline. Longitudinally, neighbourhood median household income was associated with steeper increases in children's depressive symptoms. Neither greenness exposure nor park coverage was associated with children's depressive or anxiety symptoms cross-sectionally or longitudinally. Childhood plays a key factor in setting the foundations for healthy mental, social, physical and cognitive growth. Our study suggests future mental health prevention programmes in youth should cater to a multilevel approach that integrates individual, familial and neighbourhood interventions and pay special attention to their neighbourhood SES levels.

Clinical, financial and social impacts of COVID-19 and their associations with mental health for mothers and children experiencing adversity in Australia.

Australia has maintained low rates of SARS-COV-2 (COVID-19) infection, due to geographic location and strict public health restrictions. However, the financial and social impacts of these restrictions can negatively affect parents' and children's mental health. In an existing cohort of mothers recruited for their experience of adversity, this study examined: 1) families' experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic and public health restrictions in terms of clinical exposure, financial hardship family stress, and family resilience (termed 'COVID-19 impacts'); and 2) associations between COVID-19 impacts and maternal and child mental health. Participants were mothers recruited during pregnancy (2013-14) across two Australian states (Victoria and Tasmania) for the 'right@home' trial. A COVID-19 survey was conducted from May-December 2020, when children were 5.9-7.2 years old. Mothers reported COVID-19 impacts, their own mental health (Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scales short-form) and their child's mental health (CoRonavIruS Health and Impact Survey subscale). Associations between COVID-19 impacts and mental health were examined using regression models controlling for pre-COVID-19 characteristics. 319/406 (79%) mothers completed the COVID-19 survey. Only one reported having had COVID-19. Rates of self-quarantine (20%), job or income loss (27%) and family stress (e.g., difficulty managing children's at-home learning (40%)) were high. Many mothers also reported family resilience (e.g., family found good ways of coping (49%)). COVID-19 impacts associated with poorer mental health (standardised coefficients) included self-quarantine (mother: β = 0.46, child: β = 0.46), financial hardship (mother: β = 0.27, child: β = 0.37) and family stress (mother: β = 0.49, child: β = 0.74). Family resilience was associated with better mental health (mother: β = -0.40, child: β = -0.46). The financial and social impacts of Australia's public health restrictions have substantially affected families experiencing adversity, and their mental health. These impacts are likely to exacerbate inequities arising from adversity. To recover from COVID-19, policy investment should include income support and universal access to family health services.

Perceived mental health in parents of children with rare congenital surgical diseases: a double ABCX model considering gender

BackgroundPrevious research has supported the utility of the Double ABCX model of family adaptation for parents in various diseases. Nonetheless, it remains unclear how raising a child with rare congenital surgical diseases impacts the mental health of both mothers and fathers.MethodsThe potential predictors of maternal and paternal mental health in a German sample of 210 parents of children with rare congenital surgical diseases were investigated. Parents were investigated cross-sectionally utilizing standardized psychometric questionnaires that assessed factors attributed to parental adaptation within the Double ABCX model.ResultsStressor pile-up, family functioning, perceived stress, and mental health were positively associated with mothers and fathers. However, further analyses revealed that family functioning, social support, and perceived stress fully mediated the positive association between stressor pile-up and mental health in mothers, but not fathers.ConclusionOur findings suggest that parental adaptation to a rare congenital surgical disease in their children may be improved by increased intra- and extrafamilial resources and decreased perceived family-related stress in mothers, but not fathers. Our results may help to identify gender-specific factors that may guide clinicians and future interventions.

Effects of maternal psychological distress and perception of COVID-19 on prenatal attachment in a large sample of Italian pregnant women

BackgroundEvidence concerning the impact of COVID-19-related stress exposure on prenatal attachment in pregnant women is unknown. In this study we sought to assess the effect of psychological distress and risk perception of COVID-19 on prenatal attachment in a Italian sample of pregnant women. Methods1179 pregnant women completed an anonymous online survey and self-report questionnaires measuring socio-demographic and obstetric characteristics, psychological distress (STAI Form Y-1-2 and BDI-II), prenatal attachment (PAI) and risk perception of COVID-19. Data were collected from March 2020 to April 2020 referring to the national lockdown period. ResultsAfter adjusting for the socio-demographic and obstetric factors in the multivariable analysis, we found out the state anxiety was shown to be a significant predictor (p < 0001) of prenatal attachment. Moreover, the COVID-19-risk perception positively moderate the relationship between trait anxiety and prenatal attachment (p=0008), indicating that when COVID-19-risk perception is high, the effects of trait anxiety on prenatal attachment is attenuated. The synergistic effect between STAI Form Y-1 and COVID-19-risk perception index on PAI is partially mediated by STAI Form Y-2 score. ConclusionsFindings from this study showed that state anxiety related to COVID-19 outbreak in pregnant women may affect the prenatal attachment process of the expectant mother negatively. However, an adequate and functional perception of COVID-19 could enhance prenatal attachment. These results underline the importance of monitoring the prenatal attachment process and the mother's mental health during pandemics, to safeguard maternal and infant mental health.

Effects of Continuous Care Model on Mental Health in Mothers of Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Cerebral palsy is a leading cause of disability among children, and most of these children depend on their care provider or parents all the time. Mothers of these children spend a great amount of time taking care of them, which could have adverse effects on their mental health. Objectives: The present study was conducted to investigate the impact of the continuous care model (CCM) on the mental health of mothers with children suffering from cerebral palsy. Methods: This randomized clinical trial was performed among 80 mothers of hospitalized children with cerebral palsy. Subjects were randomly divided into the two groups of intervention and control. In the intervention group, the CCM was administered to the mothers up to eight weeks after discharge, and for the control group, only routine nursing education was provided to the mothers at hospital discharge. Before and one and eight weeks after the intervention, in both groups, the mothers' mental health was assessed using the General Health Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21 through descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The mean age of the mothers was 33.2 ± 2.1 years and 34.3 ± 2.2 years in the intervention and control groups, respectively. In the intervention group, the CCM had a positive effect on the mental health of mothers one and two months after discharge from hospital compared to before the intervention (P = 0.04, P = 0.02, respectively); however, in the control group, the mean score of mothers' mental health was decreased over time. No significant relationship was found between mental health and the demographic characteristics of the mothers (i.e., age, education, participation in any child caring programs, having anxiety, having any other children with cerebral palsy, and experiencing depression due to having a child with cerebral palsy) (P &gt; 0.05). Conclusions: The CCM had a positive effect on the mental health of mothers of children with cerebral palsy. Thus, this intervention might be useful, but further studies are needed about the cost effectiveness of this intervention and its long-term impact on a larger sample.

Physical and Mental Health of Mothers and Fathers Caring for Children with Special Health Care Needs: The Influence of Community Resources

Research has demonstrated that caring for children with special health care needs (SHCN) affects parental health and well-being. The current study examines effects of community resources on physical and mental health of mothers and fathers caring for a child with SHCN. Analysis of the 2016 National Survey of Children’s Health found that fathers rated their physical and mental health higher than mothers. Greater neighborhood safety and fewer days missed school were significant community resources for both mothers’ and fathers’ physical and mental health. Health care resources were only significant predictors for mothers’ health but not for fathers’. The analysis found significant moderating relationships between days missed school and child symptomology and days missed school and maternal employment on mothers’ mental health. The importance of economic security and community resources for parental health when caring for a child with special health care needs is discussed, and practice and policy implications are developed.

The Relationship Between Mother-Child Interaction and Spiritual Well-being and Child Behavioral Disorders Through the Moderating Role of Mental Health in Mothers of Children With Hearing Impairment

Background: Mother-child interaction and spiritual well-being can influence child behavioral disorders by affecting the mother’s mental health. The present study was done to investigate the relationship between mother-child interaction and spiritual well-being and child behavioral disorders with the mediation of mental health in mothers of children with hearing impairment. Methods: The descriptive correlational study used a path analysis. The statistical population included 1580 mothers of children with hearing impairment in Tehran in 2019. The sample size was determined using Morgan’s sample size table. The samples were selected based on stratified random sampling. To collect the required data, 310 questionnaires based on the research variables were provided to the participants and a total of 284 questionnaires were analyzed following the elimination of incomplete questionnaires. The research instruments included the Behavior Disorders Questionnaire, the Child-Parent Interaction Questionnaire, the Spiritual Well-being Questionnaire, and the Mental Health Questionnaire. The proposed model was evaluated using path analysis by AMOS v. 24 software. Results: The results showed that there was a significant relationship between spiritual well-being and child behavioral disorders (P&lt;0.01), mental health and child behavioral disorders (P&lt;0.01), child-mother interaction and mental health (P&lt;0.01), and spiritual well-being and mental health (P&lt;0.01), but there was no a significant relationship between child-mother interaction and child behavioral disorders (P&gt;0.05). Moreover, indirect paths of child-mother interaction and child behavioral disorders with a mediating role of mental health (P&lt;0.01) and spiritual well-being and child behavioral disorders with a mediating role of mental health were significant (P&lt;0.05). Conclusion: According to the results of this study, the proposed model had a good fit, and is an important step in identifying the factors affecting the child behavioral disorders of children with hearing impairment.

Effects of an attachment-based parent intervention on mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder: preliminary findings from a non-randomized controlled trial

BackgroundCaregivers of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) often experience difficulties in responding appropriately to the needs of those children, who typically express attachment in distinct and nonconventional ways. This highlights the need for an attachment-based approach targeted at caregivers of children with ASD. Circle of Security Parenting (COSP), an attachment-based parenting program, is designed to increase caregivers’ sensitivity to children’s attachment needs. The aim of this study was to provide verification of the effectiveness of COSP in mothers of children with ASD.MethodsThis study was a non-randomized controlled trial. Sixty mothers of children with ASD aged 4–12 were recruited. Twenty mothers received the COSP intervention, while 40 did not. The characteristics of children in the control group were matched with those of the intervention group. To evaluate the outcomes of the intervention, changes in parental self-efficacy and mental health were assessed using the Tool to Measure Parenting Self-Efficacy (TOPSE) and the General Health Questionnaire-30 (GHQ-30). The children’s improvement in emotional and behavioral problems was assessed from the mothers’ perspective using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Both groups completed the assessments in parallel. Evaluations were compared between baseline (T1) and 6-month follow-up (T2).ResultsScores for self-efficacy and mental health of mothers and behavior of children were significantly improved from T1 to T2 in the intervention group, but not in the control group. Participants’ mental health was markedly worsened in the control group.ConclusionThis study demonstrated that the COSP program for mothers of children with ASD improved their parental self-efficacy and mental health, and reduced their subjective sense of difficulties related to their children’s behaviors. Our findings support the effectiveness of the attachment-based program for mothers of children with ASD, providing the groundwork for further studies of the attachment-based intervention for children with ASD and their families. Future studies with larger samples and randomization are also needed for direct evaluation of the improvement of children's attachment security, and for exploration of the synergistic relationship between various family support strategies and COSP.Trial Registration This trial was registered with the University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trial Registry (No. UMIN000039574)

A comparative study to assess the prevalence of depression among postnatal mothers undergoing normal versus caesarean delivery

Among the women during the time of pregnancy and childbirth the most common psychiatric morbidity seen is post natal depression. In order to reduce the effect of delivery on the mental health of mothers and also to increase the quality of life among such mothers numerous scales have been developed and one of such scale is Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) which is considered to be reliable and effective in diagnosing mothers who are at risk for Post Partum depression. The present comparative study was done at a tertiary care centre from December 2019 to February 2020. Study subjects were divided into two groups (Normal delivery and caesarean delivery) and a total of 40 study subjects were included in each group for the purpose of the study. Prevalence of postnatal depression measured by EPDS scale was high in caesarean sections compared to normal deliveries. In normal delivery group, 27.5% of subjects had postnatal depression and in caesarean group, 55% of subjects had postnatal depression. The p value was found to be significant for Post natal depression between both the groups.In the present study it was concluded that the post natal depression was more among the subjects who underwent caesarean section when compared to those who underwent normal delivery.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms and sleep problems in preschool children: the role of autistic traits

BackgroundSleep problems are elevated in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, until now there has been comparatively little research on the role of autistic traits in this association. The current study examined the association between ADHD symptoms and sleep problems in Japanese preschool children and whether autistic traits might also be important for this relationship. MethodsData were analyzed from 1053 children (average age 64.14 months, range 58–71; 50.3% male) that were drawn from the Tama Children's Survey (TCS). Parent-reported information was obtained on ADHD symptoms using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and autistic traits with the Social Responsiveness Scale Second Edition (SRS-2). Parents also provided information on three different categories of sleep problems experienced by their children – parasomnias, sleep disordered breathing and awakening/daytime problems. Ordinal logistic regression analysis was used to examine the associations. ResultsIn analyses adjusted for sociodemographic factors, the mother's mental health and child's emotional problems, compared to children with no ADHD symptoms or autistic traits, children with only ADHD symptoms had significantly increased odds for only one of 11 individual sleep problems – waking in a negative mood. In contrast, children with comorbid ADHD symptoms and autistic traits had elevated odds for five sleep problems with odds ratios ranging from 2.10 (takes time to become alert in the morning) to 3.46 (excessive body movement while sleeping). ConclusionsSleep problems may be especially elevated in children with comorbid ADHD symptoms and autistic traits.

Prenatal Neighborhood Ethnocultural Context and the Mental Health of Mothers and Children in Low-Income Mexican American Families.

Socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods increase the risk for poor mental health among residents, yet protective factors may operate alongside risk. This study evaluated the influence of the prenatal neighborhood ethnocultural context on child behavior problems and maternal depressive symptoms. Prenatal maternal role expectations, prenatal culture-specific stress, and postpartum depression (PPD) symptoms were evaluated as mediators. Participants included 322 low-income, Mexican American mother-child dyads. Women (Mage =27.8) reported on proposed mediators, maternal depressive symptoms, and child behavior problems at 4.5years. Neighborhood Latinx concentration was obtained from census data. Higher Latinx concentration predicted fewer maternal depressive symptoms and child behavior problems, mediated through role expectations and PPD symptoms. Results suggest prenatal neighborhood context to impact later maternal and child mental health.

COVID-19 pandemic: Impacts on mothers' and infants' mental health during pregnancy and shortly thereafter.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought about a global crisis, with profound implications on public mental health. The current review focuses on the impact of the pandemic on the mental health of mothers and their infants during pregnancy and shortly after delivery. Literature shows that in similar disaster situations, mothers’ stress reaction and mental health have a critical impact on infant development. Research data on perinatal mental health during the current COVID-19 pandemic is reviewed in conjunction with studies on the relationship between maternal stress, infant development, and psychopathology. Recommendations for perinatal mental health enhancement are discussed and topics for future research suggested.

The effect of multi-dimensional postpartum visits on increasing the breastfeeding rate of parturients with inverted nipple: a randomised study.

Postpartum breastfeeding is an effective guarantee for the healthy growth of newborns. Vigorously promoting breastfeeding has substantial benefits for the physical and mental health of mothers and babies, and can also benefit the entire society. The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of multi-dimensional postpartum visits (MDPV) applied to parturients with inverted nipple on improving breastfeeding rates. A total of 114 parturients with inverted nipples who gave birth in the Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University School of Medicine from October 2018 to October 2019 and successfully breastfed in the hospital were selected. The patients were divided into two groups according to the random number table method, with 57 cases in each group. The control group received routine postpartum visits, while the observation group received MDPV. Breastfeeding knowledge, rate of exclusive breastfeeding, incidence of maternal mastitis, rate of infant hospitalization, and level of self-efficacy were compared between the two groups. Breastfeeding knowledge and the rate of exclusive breastfeeding at 1, 3, and 6 months after discharge in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). The incidence of maternal mastitis and the rate of infant hospitalization in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). The self-efficacy scores of the observation group at 1 and 6 months after discharge were higher than those of the control group (P<0.05). The application of MDPV to parturients with inverted nipples can improve the breast-feeding rate, enhance breastfeeding knowledge, reduce the incidence of maternal mastitis and infant hospitalization rate, and improve breastfeeding self-efficacy. Thus, it is worthy of promotion.

The placental lipidome of maternal antenatal depression predicts socio-emotional problems in the offspring

While maternal mental health strongly influences neurodevelopment and health in the offspring, little is known about the determinants of inter-individual variation in the mental health of mothers. Likewise, the in utero biological pathways by which variation in maternal mental health affects offspring development remain to be defined. Previous studies implicate lipids, consistent with a known influence on cognitive and emotional function, but the relevance for maternal mental health and offspring neurodevelopment is unclear. This study characterizes the placental and circulatory lipids in antenatal depression, as well as socio-emotional outcomes in the offspring. Targeted liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry covering 470 lipid species was performed on placenta from 186 women with low (n = 70) or high (n = 116) levels of antenatal depressive symptoms assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale at 26 weeks’ gestation. Child socio-emotional outcomes were assessed from the Child Behavior Check List (CBCL) at 48 months. Seventeen placental lipid species showed an inverse association with antenatal EPDS scores. Specifically, lower levels of phospholipids containing LC-PUFAs: omega-3 docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and omega-6 arachidonic acid (AA) were significantly associated with depressive symptoms. Additional measurement of LC-PUFA in antenatal plasma samples at mid-gestation confirmed the reduced circulation of these specific fatty acids in mothers. Reduced concentration of the placental phospholipids also predicted poorer socio-emotional outcomes in the offspring. This study provides new insights into the role of the materno-fetal lipid cross-talk as a mechanism linking maternal mental health to that of the offspring. These findings show the potential utility of nutritional approaches among pregnant women with depressive symptoms to reduce offspring risk for later socio-emotional problems.