Maternal postnatal depression and children's growth and behaviour during the early years of life: exploring the interaction between physical and mental health
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between maternal postnatal depression and child behaviour problems and child growth at age 2 years. METHODS: This was a longitudinal birth cohort study in Johannesburg, South Africa. Primary analysis on the 'Birth to Twenty' cohort was performed for the association between maternal postnatal depression and child behaviour problems (n=1035) and growth (n=891) at age 2 and subgroup analyses (n=635) were carried out to assess the role of poor child growth in this association. Main outcome measures were the association between maternal postpartum depression (measured at 6 months postnatally using the Pitt depression inventory) and child behaviour problems (Richman child behaviour scale) and child growth at age 2 years. RESULTS: Maternal postnatal depression was significantly associated with child behaviour problems at age 2, independent of socioeconomic status (beta=0.353, p value=0.015). There was some evidence that children of depressed mothers were also at increased risk for having stunted growth, compared to non-depressed mothers (OR 1.61 (95% CI 1.02 to 2.56). The association between postnatal depression and child behavioural problems was significantly mediated by the stunted growth of the child (beta=0.294, p value=0.111). CONCLUSIONS: Maternal postnatal depression is associated with later child behaviour problems independent of the socioeconomic status of the family. This association is mediated by the child's growth, demonstrating the importance of considering a child's physical and mental health together.
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Maternal postpartum depression had a significant effect on stunting.
“Three of the studies110,140,142 showed a significant effect of maternal PPD on stunting.”
From Consequences of maternal postpartum depression: A systematic review of maternal and infant outcomes (2019) · cites this paper as [110]
Maternal postpartum depression is associated with an increase in child behavioral problems at age 2 years.
“including an increase in child behavioral problems at age 2 years,110”
From Consequences of maternal postpartum depression: A systematic review of maternal and infant outcomes (2019) · cites this paper as [110]
In low-income populations, maternal PPD seemed to be associated with less infant weight gain and stunting.
“However, in low-income populations, maternal PPD seemed to be associated with less infant weight gain and stunting.97,104,110,131,140,142”
From Consequences of maternal postpartum depression: A systematic review of maternal and infant outcomes (2019) · cites this paper as [110]
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- Authors
- Avan, B., Richter, L. M., Ramchandani, P. G., Norris, S. A., & Stein, A.
- Affiliations
- University of Oxford (GB)
- Human Sciences Research Council (ZA)
- Warneford Hospital (GB)
- University of the Witwatersrand (ZA)
- Corresponding author
- Ramchandani, P. G.
- Venue
- Archives of Disease in Childhood
- Publisher
- BMJ
- Published
- 2010-07-26
- Volume
- 95
- Issue
- 9
- Pages
- 690-695
- ISSN
- 0003-9888 (ISSN-L)
- 1468-2044
- OpenAlex
- W2100881357
- Cited by
- 230
- References
- 59
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 12 · 2021: 18 · 2020: 48 · 2019: 17 · 2018: 16 · 2017: 15 · 2016: 12 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 20 · 2013: 14 · 2012: 14
- FWCI
- 9.80
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Archives of Disease in Childhood (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- LSHTM Research Online (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Wellcome Trust (077210)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Maternal and Neonatal Healthcare
- Keywords
- postpartum depression, child behavior problems, child growth, stunting, socioeconomic status, early childhood, Birth to Twenty cohort
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Anthropometry, Child Behavior Disorders, Female, Growth Disorders, Humans, Infant, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Prognosis, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Psychometrics, Socioeconomic Factors, South Africa, Urban Health, Child of Impaired Parents, Depression, Postpartum
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