Postpartum depression prevalence and impact on infant health, weight, and sleep in low-income and ethnic minority women and infants

Matern Child Health J. 2012 May;16(4):887-93. doi: 10.1007/s10995-011-0812-y.

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of maternal depressive symptoms at 5 and 9 months postpartum in a low-income and predominantly Hispanic sample, and evaluate the impact on infant weight gain, physical health, and sleep at 9 months. Participants included 132 low-income mother-infant pairs who participated in a larger investigation on prenatal care utilization. Mothers were interviewed in person 24-48 h after birth and by phone at 5 and 9 months postpartum. Clinically significant levels of depressive symptoms were reported in 33% of the women at 5 months postpartum, and 38% at 9 months postpartum. Higher depressive symptoms at 5 months were associated with less infant weight gain from 5 to 9 months, p = .002, increased infant physical health concerns, p = .05, and increased infant nighttime awakenings at 9 months, p = .001. Results suggest a striking prevalence of clinically significant depressive symptoms through 9 months postpartum in this very low income, largely ethnic minority sample. Further, the effects of postpartum depression include significant ramifications for infant physical health.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Body Weight
  • Depression, Postpartum / ethnology*
  • Female
  • Hispanic or Latino
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant Welfare
  • Minority Groups / statistics & numerical data
  • Mothers / psychology*
  • Postpartum Period
  • Poverty
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications
  • Prenatal Care
  • Prevalence
  • Sleep
  • Young Adult