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Impact of Postpartum Mental Illness Upon Infant Development

  • Child and Adolescent Disorders (TD Benton, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Psychiatry Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

This review evaluates the state of the research regarding the effects of postpartum mental illness on the developing infant. It defines the scope of these disorders in the literature, and includes the impact of disorders referred to as perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) on infants.

Recent Findings

New research reveals that PMADs apply to not only mothers, but that fathers can also experience perinatal depression and anxiety. When untreated in a primary caregiver, PMADs adversely affect parental cognitions and beliefs, attachment to the infant, and the growing caregiver-infant relationship. PMADs affect early developmental outcomes of infants including neurosynaptic development, regulatory development, and developmental milestones.

Summary

Early identification and treatment for PMADs are critical to ensure optimal infant development. Standardized and routine screening for PMADs, especially in the first 6 months postpartum, and cross-disciplinary communication among medical providers afford the best opportunity for early identification and treatment.

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Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Neonatal Follow-up Program, Newborn/Infant Intensive Care Unit, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, 3401 Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA

    Casey Hoffman

  2. Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Neonatal Follow-up Program & Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing Center, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Dena M. Dunn

  3. Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Young Child Clinic, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, 3440 Market Street, Suite 410, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA

    Wanjiku F. M. Njoroge

Authors
  1. Casey Hoffman
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  2. Dena M. Dunn
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  3. Wanjiku F. M. Njoroge
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Correspondence to Wanjiku F. M. Njoroge.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Child and Adolescent Disorders

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Hoffman, C., Dunn, D.M. & Njoroge, W.F.M. Impact of Postpartum Mental Illness Upon Infant Development. Curr Psychiatry Rep 19, 100 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-017-0857-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-017-0857-8

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