Maternal antenatal depression's effects on child developmental delays: Gestational age, postnatal depressive symptoms, and breastfeeding as mediators.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Maternal antenatal depression experienced around conception or during pregnancy may adversely affect child development. This study explores three potential mechanisms of the effects of antenatal depression on children's developmental delays at 2-3 years: gestational age of the child, continued depressive symptoms postnatally, and interrupted breastfeeding practices.

Methods

Mothers (N = 2888) of 3450 children, including 2303 singletons and 1147 multiples from the Upstate KIDS cohort provided data. Linked hospital discharge data was combined with mothers' reports to identify women with moderate to severe antenatal depression. Gestational age was extracted from birth certificates. Mothers completed a depression screener at 4 months postpartum, reported about their b

SUBMITTER: Putnick DL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9885303 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature