Examining the impact of child atopic dermatitis on maternal depression: A longitudinal cohort study

Abstract

Background: Longitudinal data on mental health in caregivers of children with atopic dermatitis (AD) are limited.

Objective: Examine the relationship between child AD activity and severity with maternal depression across childhood.

Methods: Longitudinal cohort study of 12,124 mother-child dyads from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children.

Results: Mixed linear regression models revealed mothers of children with active AD had higher Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) scores, with an average increase of 0.33 points (95% CI, 0.17-0.49) after adjusting for child sex, age, maternal age at delivery, maternal race and ethnicity, measures of socioeconomic status, maternal history of AD, and maternal history of pre- and postnatal depression. Severe AD was associated with a 0.68-point increase in EPDS scores (95% CI, 0.46-0.90) or a 45% increase in the odds of clinically relevant symptoms (OR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.12-1.87). A dose-response relationship between maternal depression and AD severity was observed throughout childhood, with the largest effect sizes at ages 3 to 7 years among mothers of children with severe AD from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.

Limitation: Potential reporting bias from participant self-reports.

Conclusions: Child AD was associated with higher maternal depression scores, especially during early childhood for mothers of children from disadvantaged backgrounds with more severe AD.

Keywords: atopic dermatitis; caregiver; child health; chronic disease; eczema; epidemiology; longitudinal cohort study; maternal depression; mental health.