The impact of postpartum depression on infant development in the first year of life

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a common disorder affecting approximately 1 in 7 women within the first year after childbirth. PPD can affect mother-infant interactions as well as the child's cognitive, social-emotional, and physical development. This study aims to examine the impact of PPD symptoms (PPDs) on infant development in the first year across various developmental domains.

This cross-sectional study was conducted with 683 mothers, 1-12 months postpartum, recruited through social media. Data were collected using self-report questionnaires, including Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Infant development was assessed using the Israeli Ministry of Health's Developmental Milestone Guidelines Scale, covering social, language, fine motor, and gross motor domains. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify predictors of developmental delays.

The study found that 31.8 % of mothers reported elevated PPDs (EPDS≥10). Infants of mothers with elevated PPDs were significantly more likely to exhibit developmental delays (23.0 %) compared to mothers with lower PPDs (12.2 %) (OR = 1.77, 95%CI = 1.1, 2.8). Elevated PPDs were significantly associated with delays in social, language, and fine motor development. Additionally, infants aged 1-3 months had higher risk of developmental delays compared to those aged 10-12 months (OR = 2.18, 95%CI = 1.2, 3.9). Parental concerns about infant development also predicted of delays (OR = 2.08, 95%CI = 1.2, 3.4).

PPD increases the risk of developmental delays in infants, particularly in socio-emotional, language, and fine motor domains. These results highlight the importance of early screening and intervention for at-risk mothers are critical to reduce these effects on infant development. Further research is needed to examine cultural differences in PPD's effects on infant development.