Association of Persistent and Severe Postnatal Depression With Child Outcomes.

ABSTRACT:

Importance

Maternal postnatal depression (PND) is common and associated with adverse child outcomes. These effects are not inevitable, and it is critical to identify those most at risk. Previous work suggests that the risks of adverse outcomes are increased when PND is severe and persistent, but this has not been systematically studied.

Objective

To examine the association between differing levels of persistence and severity of PND and long-term child outcomes.

Design, setting, and participants

The sample for this observational study comprised participants in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children in the United Kingdom. Three thresholds of PND severity-moderate, marked, and severe-were defined using the self-rated Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPD

SUBMITTER: Netsi E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5885957 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature