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Effects of perinatal mental disorders on the fetus and child

Alan Stein1, Rebecca M Pearson2, Sherryl H Goodman3

  • 1Section of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Lancet (London, England)
|December 3, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Parental mental disorders can impact child development, but negative outcomes are preventable. Early interventions and support for parents are crucial for improving child psychological and developmental well-being.

Area of Science:

  • Perinatal mental health
  • Child development
  • Global health

Background:

  • Perinatal mental disorders pose risks for offspring psychological and developmental disturbances.
  • These adverse outcomes are not inevitable and can be mitigated through targeted support.
  • Understanding transmission mechanisms is key to developing effective interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize evidence on parental mental disorders and offspring outcomes across developmental stages and global economic settings.
  • To assess mediating and moderating factors influencing the parent-offspring relationship.
  • To identify potentially modifiable factors and review intervention research.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of evidence on parental disorders and offspring outcomes.
  • Analysis of mediating variables (e.g., parenting quality, social support) and moderators.
  • Evaluation of intervention studies, primarily focusing on maternal depression.

Main Results:

  • Parental mental disorders are associated with a range of offspring disturbances from fetal development to adolescence.
  • Modifiable factors like parenting quality and social support play significant roles.
  • Interventions often target maternal depression and caregiving difficulties.

Conclusions:

  • Early identification of at-risk parents and timely interventions are essential.
  • Policy implications highlight the need for enhanced prevention research, particularly in disadvantaged populations.
  • Integrated approaches addressing parental mental health and caregiving are recommended.

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