Study: Depression During Pregnancy Can Retard Growth Of Child

PregnancyA mother and a child share a very special relationship. Anything related to mother always affects the child. It is well known fact that depression in mothers can harm the child. But the new research proves the effect of depression of pregnant mother on the unborn child. The children born to women who are depressed during pregnancy are more likely to suffer significant delays in their development.

The research says that the children whose mothers suffer depression in pregnancy are 34% more likely to experience delays to their development. Under the research 11,098 mothers - t o -be were assessed for symptoms of depression at 18 and 32 weeks into their pregnancy and again at eightweeks and eight months after birth. Their children were tested at 18 months for development 'milestones' such as showing hand-eye co-ordination, manipulating small objects, and recognizing or using language.

The study found that 8,262 (74.4%) women were not depressed either antenatally (during pregnancy) or postnatally. A total of 1,565 (14.1%) women were depressed on at least one occasion antenatally but not postnatally, while 537 (4.8%) women were depressed on at least one of two occasions when they were tested postnatally, but at neither occasion during pregnancy. A total of 156 (1.4%) women were persistently depressed both antenatally and postnatally.

Dr Toity Deave, research fellow at the Centre for Child & Adolescent Health, University of the West of England, said, “I believe the most important finding is that maternal antenatal depression has a negative impact on children's cognitive development, even when postnatal depression has been taken into account. The other important message is that it is the persistence of depression, as well as the intensity of antenatal depression, that has an impact on the child.”

It is well known fact that postnatal depression in new mothers can retard their children's progress, but this study is one of the first to look at the impact of antenatal depression. The findings are published today in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Its editor in chief, Professor Philip Steer, said: 'Maternal depression has a significant impact on women and their families.

'It is essential for doctors, midwives and other healthcare professionals to play an active role in assessing and identifying it.'

The aim of this study is to caution the women and people in medical field to take things like depression during pregnancy seriously. The women should try to stay happy during pregnancy.

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