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Maternal depression and child development

2004; Oxford University Press; Volume: 9; Issue: 8 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1093/pch/9.8.575

1918-1485

AC Bernard‐Bonnin,

Child Nutrition and Feeding Issues

M aternal depression is considered a risk factor for the socioemotional and cognitive development of children (1).The current prevalence of depression in Canada averages at 6%, which is similar to the rates in other western countries (2) (the female-to-male ratio average is 2:1 [3]).However, the prevalence of postpartum depression is approximately 13% (4).Women of childbearing age are particularly at risk for depression, and many of them experience high levels of social morbidity and depressive symptoms that are often unrecognized and untreated.Mothers already at risk for depression are particularly fragile during the first months postpartum.Maternal depression has consequences on the child's development.Because physicians who care for infants and children encounter mothers repeatedly, it is important that they have the knowledge and skills for the detection of symptoms of maternal depression. The objectives of this statement are: • To review the present knowledge on the consequences of maternal depression on the development of children at various ages;• To review the evidence-based literature on the treatment of maternal depression and its impact on newborns, infants and children; and• To review the role of the child's physician in the detection of symptoms of maternal depression, and the coordination of appropriate support and management.A literature search for the past 15 years was conducted using the MEDLINE database, and by reviewing the bibliographies of the retrieved articles.Of particular interest were the prospective longitudinal cohort studies in which mothers were recruited during their pregnancy or postpartum period, and the children were assessed at regular intervals. Maternal depression and child development