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[Children murdered by their mothers in the postpartum period]

P Trautmann-Villalba1, C Hornstein

  • 1Allgemeinpsychiatrie und Psychotherapie 1, Mutter-Kind-Behandlung (Station 43), Psychiatrisches Zentrum Nordbaden, Akademisches Lehrkrankenhaus der Universität Heidelberg,Wiesloch. patricia.trautmann-villalba@hotmail.com

Der Nervenarzt
|October 11, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Filicide, the killing of a child by a parent, most often affects infants under one year old. Maternal mental health issues, particularly postpartum depression and psychosis, are significant risk factors for infant murder.

Area of Science:

  • Forensic Psychology
  • Child Psychology
  • Psychiatry

Context:

  • Filicide, the killing of one's child, is a cross-cultural phenomenon with infants under one year being most vulnerable.
  • Postpartum filicide encompasses altruistic filicide, extended suicide, fatal child maltreatment, and neonaticide.

Purpose:

  • To explore the complex phenomenon of filicide, focusing on maternal factors and risk constellations.
  • To analyze sociodemographic characteristics associated with different types of filicide.

Summary:

  • Infants are most at risk for filicide, with mothers experiencing psychiatric disturbances, especially depressive and psychotic symptoms related to the newborn or maternity, being frequent perpetrators.
  • Maternal factors contributing to filicide are not fully understood, necessitating further investigation into sociodemographic influences and risk patterns.

Impact:

  • Enhances understanding of filicide risk factors, particularly maternal mental health.
  • Informs clinical practice and public health strategies aimed at preventing child fatalities within the family context.

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