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WEDNESDAY, June 17, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Children of mothers with long-term depression<\/a> have an increased risk of behavioral problems and poor development, researchers say.<\/p>\n The new study included nearly 900 Australian mothers and 978 of their children. Levels of depression<\/a> were examined in the mothers before, during and after pregnancy<\/a>. The investigators also analyzed their children’s development and behavior.<\/p>\n One in five of the women experienced depression<\/a> once, while 11% experienced it more than once. The length of a mother’s depression<\/a> had a greater impact on her child than when depression<\/a> occurred, according to the researchers at the University of Queensland, Australia.<\/p>\n “The longer a mother suffered maternal depression<\/a>, the worse the outcomes for the child,” study author Katrina Moss said in a university news release. She’s a research officer in the School of Public Health.<\/p>\n “Mothers may worry that if they’ve been depressed<\/a> during pregnancy<\/a> then it’s too late to do anything about it, but reducing depressive symptoms at any stage is better for them and their children,” she explained.<\/p>\n “The earlier we can effectively detect and treat maternal depression<\/a>, the better our chances of improving outcomes,” Moss said.<\/p>\n
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