Postnatal depression and infant growth and development in low income countries: a cohort study from Goa, India. Issue 1 (1st January 2003)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Patel, V; DeSouza, N; Rodrigues, M
• Is Part Of: Archives of disease in childhood. Volume 88:Issue 1(2003)
• Page Start: 34
• Page End: 37
• Publication Date: 2003-01-01
• Subjects: growth -- postnatal depression -- developing country -- development; CI, confidence interval -- DASII, Developmental Assessment Scale for Indian Infants -- EPDS, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale -- MeDQ, mental development quotient -- MoDQ, motor development quotient -- PND, postnatal depression -- RR, risk ratio; Children -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Infants -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 618.920005
• DOI: 10.1136/adc.88.1.34
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-9888

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Postnatal depression is a recognised cause of delayed cognitive development in infants in developed countries. Being underweight is common in South Asia. Aims: To determine whether postnatal depression contributes to poor growth and development outcomes in Goa, India. Methods: Cohort study for growth outcomes with nested case-control study for developmental outcomes. A total of 171 babies were weighed and measured at 6–8 weeks following birth. The following measures were used: Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale for maternal mood, and sociodemographic and infant health variables. Outcome measures were: weight (<5th centile), length (<5th centile), and Developmental Assessment Scale for Indian Infants scores at six months. Results: Postnatal depression was a strong, and independent, predictor of low weight and length and was significantly associated with adverse mental development quotient scores. Conclusions: This study provides evidence for the first time that postnatal depression, a potentially treatable disorder, is a cause of poor growth and development in South Asia.