Maternal depression: a concern for pediatricians.
Maternal depression is common in clinical experience but has not been fully addressed in the pediatric literature. Depression can refer to either depressive symptoms or a diagnosable depression. Depression among mothers occurs frequently, is persistent, and is related to other factors such as low social class and marital disharmony. Studies demonstrate an association between a mother's depression and adverse outcomes for her child including low birth weight, behavior problems, somatic complaints, poor growth, accidents, and affective illness. Affect and child-rearing characteristics of depressed mothers seem to be important factors in mediating these poor outcomes. Pediatricians have a special role in helping depressed mothers and their children.
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008425:Maternal Behavior; D011247:Pregnancy; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors