Maternal mood and sleep in children of women at risk for perinatal depression

Arch Womens Ment Health. 2010 Dec;13(6):531-4. doi: 10.1007/s00737-010-0177-z. Epub 2010 Jul 14.

Abstract

Few studies have examined relationships between perinatal depression and sleep in offspring beyond very early childhood. Eighty-five women classified as high risk for major depressive disorder during pregnancy completed measures of mood and their child's sleep 4-7 years postpartum. Mothers with Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) scores ≥20 reported more sleep problems in their child, and child sleep disruption was a reasonable predictor of maternal BDI-II. More research is needed to determine causal relationships between perinatal depression and sleep in offspring.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Affect*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Depression, Postpartum / psychology*
  • Depressive Disorder, Major
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mother-Child Relations
  • Risk
  • Sleep*