Postnatal Depression in Fathers of Preterm Infants

Postnatal depression in fathers — but not mothers — of preterm infants is associated with lower cognitive function in the child 2 years later.

Preterm infants are at risk for low cognitive function associated with perinatal complications, parent's education, socioeconomic status, and family well-being. Does postnatal depression in mothers and fathers influence cognitive development in preterm infants? To find out, researchers used data from a longitudinal study of a nationally representative cohort of 5350 children born in 2001. The cohort included 450 very preterm infants and 900 moderate/late preterm infants. Depressive symptoms in parents were assessed at 9 months after birth by a standardized depression scale. Cognitive function in children was assessed at 24 months by selected questions from the Bayley Scales of Infant Development.

At 9 months, 14% of mothers and 12% of father…

Reviewing Author

Martin T. Stein, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardPearson Neuroscience Advisory Board

Speaker’s bureauAmerican Academy of Pediatrics

RoyaltiesElsevier, Inc.

Editorial boardsJournal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics