Hostname: page-component-7c8c6479df-hgkh8 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-03-28T08:59:20.849Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Current considerations of the effects of untreated maternal perinatal depression and the National Perinatal Depression Initiative

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 January 2012

P. Hall*
Affiliation:
SAHealth, National Perinatal Depression Initiative, South Australia
*
*Address for correspondence: Dr P. Hall, Mental Health Unit, SA Health, PO Box 287, Rundle Mall, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia. (Email Pauline.Hall@health.sa.gov.au)

Abstract

Postnatal and antenatal depression present significant public health concerns. Current opinion on the use of these terms is noted. Previous research findings demonstrate that detrimental effects of untreated maternal depression/anxiety are potentially severe and impact on the whole family; longer-term effects on child development are described. Australia has responded to such overwhelming empirical evidence by the implementation of the National Perinatal Depression Initiative. Key objectives and a brief overview of the work in progress of this Initiative are offered.

Type
Rapid Communication
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press and the International Society for Developmental Origins of Health and Disease 2012

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1.O'Hara, MW, Swain, AM. Rates and risks of postpartum depression: a meta-analysis. Int Rev Psychiatr. 1996; 8, 3754.Google Scholar
2.Bennett, HA, Einarson, A, Taddio, A, Koren, G, Einarson, TR. Prevalence of depression during pregnancy. Obstet Gynecol. 2004; 103, 698709.Google Scholar
3.Glover, V, O'Connor, T. Effects of antenatal stress and anxiety: implications for development and psychiatry. Br J Psychiatr. 2002; 180, 389391.Google Scholar
4.Hay, D, Pawlby, S, Waters, S, Sharp, D. Antepartum and postpartum exposure to maternal depression: different effects on different adolescent outcomes. J Child Psychol Psychiatr. 2008; 49, 10791088.Google Scholar
5.Yonkers, KA. New recommendations managing depression during pregnancy. Physicians Weekly, January 11, 2010, no. 2, 2010. Accessed on-line at http://www.physiciansweekly.com/pw02_10.html.Google Scholar
6.Alder, J, Fink, N, Bitzer, J, Hosli, I, Holzgrove, W. Depression and anxiety during pregnancy: a risk factor for obstetrics, fetal and neonatal outcome? A critical review of the literature. J Matern Fetal Med. 2007; 20, 189209.Google Scholar
7.Grant, KA, McMahon, C, Austin, M-P, et al. Maternal prenatal anxiety and infants’ cortisol responses to the still-face procedure. Dev Psychobiol. 2009; 51, 625637.Google Scholar
8.Austin, M-P, Hadzi-Pavlovic, D, Leader, L, Saint, K, Parker, G. Maternal trait anxiety, depression and life event stress in pregnancy: relationships with infant temperament. Early Hum Dev. 2005; 81, 183190.Google Scholar
9.O'Connor, TG, Heron, J, Glover, V, Alspac Study Team. Antenatal anxiety predicts child behavioural/emotional problems independently of postnatal depression. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatr. 2002; 41, 14701477.Google Scholar
10.O'Connor, T, Heron, J, Golding, J, Glover, V. Maternal antenatal anxiety and behavioural/emotional problems in children: a test of a programming hypothesis. J Child Psychol Psychiatr. 2003; 44, 10251036.Google Scholar
11.Van den Berg, BRH, Marcoen, A. High maternal antenatal anxiety is related to ADHD symptoms externalizing problems and anxiety in 8 and 9 year olds. Child Dev. 2004; 75, 10851097.Google Scholar
12.Van den Bergh, BRH, Mennes, M, Oosterlaan, J, et al. High antenatal maternal anxiety is related to impulsivity during performance on cognitive tasks in 14- and 15-year-olds. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2005; 29, 259269.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
13.Murray, L. The impact of postnatal depression on infant development. J Child Psychol Psychiatr. 1992; 33, 543561.Google Scholar
14.Martins, C, Gaffan, EA. Effects of early maternal depression on patterns of infant–mother attachment: a meta-analytic investigation. J Child Psychol Psychiatr. 2000; 41, 737746.Google Scholar
15.Moehler, E, Brunner, R, Wiebel, A, Reck, C, Resch, F. Maternal depressive symptoms in the postnatal period are associated with long-term impairment of mother–child bonding. Arch Women's Ment Health. 2006; 9, 273278.Google Scholar
16.Deave, T, Heron, J, Evans, J, Emond, A. The impact of maternal depression in pregnancy on early child development. BJOG. 2008; 115, 10431051.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
17.Austin, M-P, Kildea, S, Sullivan, E. Maternal mortality and psychiatric morbidity in the perinatal period: challenges and opportunities for prevention in the Australian setting. Med J Aust. 2007; 186, 364367.Google Scholar
18.Goodman, JH. Paternal postpartum depression, its relationship to maternal postpartum depression, and implications for family health. J Adv Nurs. 2004; 45, 2635.Google Scholar
19.Areias, ME, Kumar, R, Barros, H, Figueiredo, E. Correlates of postnatal depression in mothers and fathers. Br J Psychiatr. 1996; 169, 3641.Google Scholar
20.Ballard, C, Davies, R. Postnatal depression in fathers. Int Rev Psychiatr. 1996; 8, 6572.Google Scholar
21.Ramchandani, P, Psychogiou, L. Paternal psychiatric disorders and children's psychosocial development. Lancet. 2009; 374, 646653.Google Scholar
22.Beyondblue. Clinical Practice Guidelines for Depression and Related Disorders – Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder and Puerperal Psychosis – in the Perinatal Period. A Guideline for Primary Care Health Professionals, 2011. beyondblue: The National Depression Initiative, Melbourne.Google Scholar
23.Cox, JL, Holden, JM, Sagovsky, R. Detection of postnatal depression: development of the 10-item Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Br J Psychiatr. 1987; 150, 782786.Google Scholar