Impact of Postpartum Mental Illness Upon Infant Development

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) o...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Current psychiatry reports 2017-11, Vol.19 (12), p.100-100, Article 100
Main Authors: Hoffman, Casey, Dunn, Dena M., Njoroge, Wanjiku F. M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Babies
Caregivers
Child and Adolescent Disorders (TD Benton
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Mental disorders
Postpartum period
Psychiatry
Section Editor
Topical Collection on Child and Adolescent Disorders
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Summary: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.
ISSN:1523-3812
1535-1645
DOI:10.1007/s11920-017-0857-8