The Impact of Postpartum Depression on Infant Cognitive Development: A systematic review
Open Access
- Author:
- Tomlinson, Nia
- Area of Honors:
- Nursing
- Degree:
- Bachelor of Science
- Document Type:
- Thesis
- Thesis Supervisors:
- Rachel Allen, Thesis Supervisor
Susan Jayne Loeb, Thesis Honors Advisor - Keywords:
- postpartum depression
maternal depression
postnatal depression
infant cognitive development
child development - Abstract:
- PURPOSE: The purpose of this systematic review is to analyze a broad collection of literature to assess whether postpartum depression influences infant cognitive development specifically. METHODS: An initial literature search was conducted using three databases: PubMed, CINAHL, and PsycINFO. Using the key terms “maternal depression OR postpartum depression OR postnatal depression” AND “infant development” AND “cognitive” this search yielded a total of 4 articles. An ancestry search was then conducted using a compiled reference list from the 4 original sources. The ancestry search produced an additional 5 articles to be included for review. Each article was evaluated using the John Hopkins Evidence Level and Quality Grade. RESULTS: After analysis of the nine articles, the findings uncovered that postpartum depression does negatively influence infant cognitive development. Infants born to a depressed mother are more likely to score lower on infant cognitive assessment tests. Furthermore, these infants are more likely to take an increased amount of time to develop specific cognitive processes such as object perception and imitation. Also, findings revealed infant boys develop cognitively at a slower pace compared to infant girls. Additionally, the chronicity of postpartum depressive symptoms may influence the severity of infant cognitive developmental delay. DISCUSSION: Postpartum depression remains underdiagnosed and undertreated. Efforts should be made to increase the prevention, identification, and treatment of postpartum depression to decrease the potentially harmful effects on infant development. Early identification of both postpartum depression and infant delays are critical to produce the best outcomes for the mother and infant. Future research should focus on the creation of a standard and universal assessment tool for postpartum depression and infant cognitive development.