Pregnancy depression may cause development problems
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/interactive/news/theme_news_detail.php?id=18659122&tab_id=122
27 June 2008
Women who suffer from depression during pregnancy may be more likely to have babies with developmental problems, a new study suggests.
Scientists studied the records of 11,098 women who gave birth in 1991 or 1992 and found that antenatal depression increases the risk of cognitive or behavioural problems by more than a third.
The risk becomes even greater - up to 50 per cent - if the mother's depression continues after the baby is born.
The findings are published in the BJOG journal and researcher Dr Toity Deave, from the University of the West of England, confirmed that antenatal depression appears to have 'a negative impact on children's cognitive development, even when postnatal depression has been taken into account'.
He added: '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.'
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