Summary: Adolescents and adults whose mothers experienced depression during pregnancy or in the first year after birth face about a 70% higher chance of being diagnosed with depression.
Source: UT Health
New research from The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) finds that maternal depression during the perinatal period is linked to a substantially higher risk of depression in offspring during adolescence and adulthood.
A systematic review and meta-analysis published in JAMA Network Open examined long-term outcomes for children exposed to maternal depression either antenatally (during pregnancy) or postnatally (within the first year after birth). This analysis is the first to focus specifically on depression risk in offspring aged 12 years and older.
The authors note that perinatal depression affects an estimated 10–20% of mothers. Past studies have connected perinatal depression to slower growth, nutritional problems, and a higher likelihood of various childhood health issues and obesity. The current study extends these concerns by evaluating persistent mental health effects that emerge later in life.
“Many studies look at immediate effects of perinatal depression on a child’s growth or early emotional development. We wanted to understand how maternal depression might influence the child’s mental health into adolescence and adulthood,” said Vaishali Tirumalaraju, MBBS, a resident in the Louis A. Faillace, MD, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at McGovern Medical School and one of the study’s first authors.
Researchers systematically reviewed published literature and identified six major longitudinal cohort studies that collectively followed more than 15,000 mother-child pairs into adolescence and beyond. Combining data from these long-term studies allowed the team to assess whether maternal perinatal depression is associated with lasting risk for offspring depression.
The meta-analysis found that offspring whose mothers experienced perinatal depression had increased odds of developing depression later in life (odds ratio [OR] = 1.70). In other words, exposure to maternal depression around the time of birth was associated with roughly a 70% higher likelihood of being diagnosed with depression during adolescence or adulthood. Results were particularly notable for antenatal depression, although both antenatal and postnatal depressive episodes conveyed elevated risk.
“This study highlights that perinatal depression doesn’t only affect the mother in the short term; it can have long-lasting implications for children,” said Sudhakar Selvaraj, MD, PhD, assistant professor of psychiatry at McGovern Medical School, director of the Depression Research Program, and the study’s senior author. “Recognizing and treating depression during pregnancy and the postpartum period could help reduce future mental health burden for the next generation.”
The study’s timing is notable as many expectant and new mothers have faced heightened stressors during the COVID-19 pandemic, including social isolation and reduced access to support. “Stress can affect appetite, reduce physical activity, and make healthy routines harder to maintain — factors that can contribute to depression,” Selvaraj added. He also noted that stigma around mental health can limit reporting, so cases may be underrecognized.
UTHealth’s Women’s Mental Health Program offers specialized psychological and psychiatric services at selected UT Physicians Women’s Centers to simplify access to care for perinatal mood disorders. The authors emphasize that systematic screening, early intervention, and greater access to counseling and medication when appropriate could help mothers and potentially reduce long-term risks for their children.
While this analysis strengthens evidence of an association between maternal perinatal depression and later depression in offspring, the researchers call for further study to clarify the mechanisms by which risk is transmitted and to test interventions that might mitigate that risk. Better understanding biological, environmental, and social pathways will be important for designing effective prevention and treatment strategies.
About this study
Source: UT Health
Media Contact: Amy Laukka, UT Health
Image Source: The image is in the public domain.
Original Research: “Risk of Depression in the Adolescent and Adult Offspring of Mothers With Perinatal Depression,” published in JAMA Network Open. The meta-analysis included six longitudinal studies and 15,584 mother–child dyads; reported pooled odds ratio for offspring depression was 1.70, indicating a significant increase in risk associated with maternal perinatal depression. Findings also suggested slightly higher pooled odds for antenatal (during pregnancy) depression compared with postnatal depression, and higher rates of depression among female offspring in subgroup analyses.
Abstract
Risk of Depression in the Adolescent and Adult Offspring of Mothers With Perinatal Depression
Importance
Maternal depression during pregnancy has been associated with emotional and behavioral difficulties in childhood that may increase the risk of depression later in adolescence and adulthood.
Objective
To evaluate the association between maternal perinatal depression and long-term risk of depression in offspring aged 12 years and older.
Data Sources
A systematic search of PubMed and PsycINFO was conducted from May 2019 to June 2019.
Study Selection
From 6,309 identified articles, 88 underwent full-text review. Included studies were prospective longitudinal cohorts that measured maternal depression during antenatal and/or postnatal periods and assessed offspring aged 12 years or older with validated psychometric tools. Studies with other designs, maternal medical or psychiatric comorbidities, or offspring younger than 12 were excluded.
Data Extraction and Synthesis
Two independent reviewers extracted data, with a third reviewer resolving discrepancies. Bayesian meta-analysis followed MOOSE guidelines, and metaregression examined the influence of timing of maternal depression and offspring sex on outcomes.
Main Outcomes and Measures
Offspring depression was assessed using standardized depression scales or clinical interviews.
Results
Six studies comprising 15,584 mother–child pairs were included. The pooled analysis found increased odds of depression in offspring exposed to maternal perinatal depression (OR, 1.70). Subgroup analyses suggested marginally higher pooled odds for antenatal compared with postnatal depression. Metaregression indicated higher rates of depression associated with a greater proportion of female offspring.
Conclusions and Relevance
Maternal perinatal depression, particularly when occurring during pregnancy, is associated with an elevated risk of depression in offspring during adolescence and adulthood. Further research into mechanisms of intergenerational risk transmission and interventions to reduce that risk is warranted.