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Updated: Oct 16, 2025

Using a Murine Model of Psychosocial Stress in Pregnancy as a Translationally Relevant Paradigm for Psychiatric Disorders in Mothers and Infants
06:39

Using a Murine Model of Psychosocial Stress in Pregnancy as a Translationally Relevant Paradigm for Psychiatric Disorders in Mothers and Infants

Published on: June 13, 2021

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The mother-baby bond: a systematic review about perinatal depression and child developmental disorders

Melania Martucci1, Franca Aceti2, Nicoletta Giacchetti2

  • 1Child Neuropychiatry Unit, Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.

Rivista Di Psichiatria
|October 19, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Maternal depression during pregnancy increases children's risk for emotional, social, and developmental problems. Early intervention is crucial for maternal mental health and child development.

Area of Science:

  • Perinatal mental health
  • Child developmental psychology
  • Public health

Background:

  • Perinatal depression affects 10-20% of mothers in developed countries, posing risks to mother, child, and family.
  • It represents a significant public health concern requiring attention beyond the individual mother.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review developmental disorders in children born to mothers experiencing perinatal depression.
  • To synthesize evidence on the impact of maternal perinatal depression on child development.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic literature search across PubMed, Psycarticles, and Psychinfo databases (2015-2021).
  • Analysis of 388 identified studies, with 22 full-text articles included in the final review.

Main Results:

  • Children of depressed mothers show increased risks of emotional dysregulation and socio-emotional difficulties.
  • Evidence indicates a higher likelihood of cognitive, motor, and language delays.
  • Behavioral problems in preschool-aged children are also associated with maternal perinatal depression.

Conclusions:

  • Maternal mental health is integral to primary healthcare.
  • Addressing the mother-child dyad is essential for treating maternal depression and mitigating adverse child development outcomes.
  • Integrating perinatal mental health services can prevent long-term consequences for children.
Abstract

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