Maternal depression during pregnancy and the postnatal period: risks and possible mechanisms for offspring depression at age 18 years.

ABSTRACT:

Importance

Some small studies suggest that maternal postnatal depression is a risk factor for offspring adolescent depression. However, to our knowledge, no large cohort studies have addressed this issue. Furthermore, only 1 small study has examined the association between antenatal depression and later offspring depression. Understanding these associations is important to inform prevention.

Objective

To investigate the hypothesis that there are independent associations between antenatal and postnatal depression with offspring depression and that the risk pathways are different, such that the risk is moderated by disadvantage (low maternal education) with postnatal depression but not with antenatal depression.

Design, setting, and participants

Prospective investigatio

SUBMITTER: Pearson RM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3930009 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature