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Maternal depressive symptoms and early childhood cognitive development: a meta-analysis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 November 2016

Y. Liu ,
S. Kaaya ,
J. Chai ,
D. C. McCoy ,
P. J. Surkan ,
M. M. Black ,
A.-L. Sutter-Dallay ,
H. Verdoux  and
M. C. Smith-Fawzi
Y. Liu*
Affiliation:
Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, USA
S. Kaaya
Affiliation:
School of Medicine, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
J. Chai
Affiliation:
Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston MA, USA
D. C. McCoy
Affiliation:
Graduate School of Education, Harvard University, Cambridge MA, USA
P. J. Surkan
Affiliation:
Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore MD, USA
M. M. Black
Affiliation:
Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore MD, USA
A.-L. Sutter-Dallay
Affiliation:
Univ. Bordeaux, U1219, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
H. Verdoux
Affiliation:
INSERM, U1219, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
M. C. Smith-Fawzi
Affiliation:
Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, USA
*
*Address for correspondence: Ms. Y. Liu, Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, 02115, USA. (Email: yul925@mail.harvard.edu)
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Abstract

Background

Previous findings have been mixed regarding the relationship between maternal depressive symptoms and child cognitive development. The objective of this study was to systematically review relevant literature and to perform a meta-analysis.

Method

Three electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO) were searched. Initial screening was conducted independently by two reviewers. Studies selected for detailed review were read in full and included based on a set of criteria. Data from selected studies were abstracted onto a standardized form. Meta-analysis using the inverse variance approach and random-effects models was conducted.

Results

The univariate analysis of 14 studies revealed that maternal depressive symptoms are related to lower cognitive scores among children aged ⩽56 months (Cohen's d = −0.25, 95% CI −0.39 to −0.12). The synthesis of studies controlling for confounding variables showed that the mean cognitive score for children 6–8 weeks post-partum whose mothers had high depressive symptoms during the first few weeks postpartum was approximately 4.2 units lower on the Mental Developmental Index (MDI) of the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (BSID) compared with children with non-symptomatic mothers (B̂ = −4.17, 95% CI −8.01 to −0.32).

Conclusions

The results indicated that maternal depressive symptoms are related to lower cognitive scores in early infancy, after adjusting for confounding factors. An integrated approach for supporting child cognitive development may include program efforts that promote maternal mental health in addition to family economic wellbeing, responsive caregiving, and child nutrition.

Keywords

Cognitive developmentmaternal depressive symptomsmeta-analysis
Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 47 , Issue 4 , March 2017 , pp. 680 - 689
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2016 

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