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Published on: May 16, 2025
Neuropsychiatric aid in children born to patients with rheumatic diseases
M Bomba1, J Galli, R Nacinovich
1Department of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, University of Medicine, Brescia, Italy. monica.bomba@gmail.com
Insights
Mothers with rheumatic diseases (RD) may face challenges in bonding with their babies due to emotional distress. Early neuropsychiatric support can improve maternal-foetal attachment and child development outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive medicine
- Developmental psychology
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Chronic rheumatic diseases (RD) can negatively impact maternal quality of life and relationships.
- Maternal distress affects mother-infant bonding, potentially leading to developmental issues in children.
- Psychological challenges in pregnancy and parenthood are significant for women with RD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the psychological aspects of pregnancy and parenthood in women with RD.
- To explore the impact of maternal RD on child development.
- To highlight the importance of multidisciplinary care for affected families.
Main Methods:
- Literature review on psychological aspects of pregnancy and parenthood in women with rheumatic diseases.
- Analysis of case experiences and existing research.
- Focus on maternal-foetal attachment, infant development, and parental stress.
Main Results:
- Maternal distress in RD can impair mother-baby interaction and attachment.
- Ineffective infant holding may lead to stress vulnerability and psychosomatic issues in offspring.
- Psychological support is crucial for managing pregnancy and parenthood in women with RD.
Conclusions:
- A collaborative, multidisciplinary team approach is essential for supporting pregnant women with RD.
- Neuropsychiatric interventions can aid patients and partners, preventing psychopathologic traits.
- Integrated care improves the overall quality of life for the family unit.
Abstract:
A chronic disease may have an adverse impact on patients' quality of life and on their relationship styles. If this occurs in a mother, the related emotional and physical distress can interfere with baby holding, impacting on the antenatal maternal-foetal attachment and on the upbringing and development of the baby. Ineffective holding leads to the persistence of a condition of 'vulnerability to stress' and the possible development of psychosomatic problems in the offspring. In this paper we present our experience and a review from the current literature on the psychological aspects of pregnancy and parenthood in women with rheumatic diseases (RD) and children's development. To ameliorate family global quality of life, different experts (the rheumatologist, the obstetric, the neonatologist, the psychologist and the neuropsychiatric experts) should cooperate in teamwork to keep the patients' needs integrated. In particular, the neuropsychiatric intervention might support the patients and their partners throughout the experience of pregnancy and parenthood and prevent the occurrence of psychopathologic traits.
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