Abstract
Background
Maternal perinatal depression has been shown to have long lasting effects on children’s development. Studies have described the relationship of perinatal depression on children’s cognition, especially negative effects on intelligence quotient (IQ). However, a recent examination of the current studies to discern the patterns and strength of associations between perinatal depression and child IQ is not available.
Objective
The purpose of this systematic review is to discern the effects of perinatal depression, prenatally and within the first 12 months of the postpartum period, on the IQ of the child aged 0–18 years old.
Methods
We searched the electronic databases: PubMed and CINAHL. We identified 1633 studies, and included 17 studies in the final review based on pre-determined criteria. After the data was extracted, we assessed the strength of the study using the national heart, lung, and blood institute quality assessment tool for observational cohort and cross-sectional studies. This systematic review had a total sample of 10,757 participants.
Results
Across the studies, we identified a relationship between limited maternal responsiveness due to postpartum depression and a decrease in full IQ scores in younger children. Male children were found to be more sensitive to the postpartum depression, resulting in a decrease in IQs, in comparison to female children.
Conclusions
Policies should be implemented to identify women suffering from perinatal depression to mitigate the effects of the disorder for both the mother and her child.
Significance
Maternal perinatal depression has been shown to have far-reaching effects on children’s development. However, a recent examination of the current studies to discern the associations between perinatal depression and child IQ is not available. In this systematic review, we identified a relationship between limited maternal responsiveness due to postpartum depression and a decrease in full IQ scores in younger children. Male children were more sensitive to postpartum depression, resulting in a decrease in IQs, in comparison to female children.
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Data Availability
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We would like to thank Jamie Conklin for search guidance.
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Conceptualization: HB, RAH, HPS. Data curation: HB, RAH, HPS. Formal analysis: HB, RAH. Investigation: HB, RAH, HPS. Methodology: HPS. Resources: HPS. Supervision: HPS.
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Baird, H., Harris, R.A. & Santos, H.P. The Effects of Maternal Perinatal Depression on Child IQ: A Systematic Review. Matern Child Health J 27, 1489–1502 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-023-03715-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-023-03715-3