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UK Wedding News

10/10/2013

Depression Risk Starts In The Womb - Study

According to a new study, children whose mothers are depressed during pregnancy will have a small, increased risk of depression in adulthood.

Researchers at Bristol University added that medical treatment during pregnancy could lower the risk of future mental health problems in the child.

The study, which is published in JAMA Psychiatry, followed the children of more than 8,000 women who had postnatal or antenatal depression and found that the risk is about 1.3 times higher than normal at the age of 18.

Speaking to the BBC, lead researcher, Dr Rebecca Pearson said: "Depression in pregnancy should be taken seriously and treated in pregnancy. It looks like there is a long-term risk to the child, although it is small."

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She stressed that the findings needed further investigation, and that it was an association, not a causal link.

Professor Carmine Pariante of King's College London's Institute of Psychiatry added that the development of a person's mental health did not start at birth but in the womb.

"The message is clear - helping women who are depressed in pregnancy will not only alleviate their suffering but also the suffering of the next generation."

This was supported by Professor Celso Arango of Gregorio Maranon General University Hospital, Madrid, who said stress hormones may affect the child's development in the womb.

The professor is quoted by the BBC as saying: "Women with depression would ideally be treated before getting pregnant, but if they are already pregnant when diagnosed with depression it is even more important that they are treated as it will impact on the mother and child."

(JP/CD)

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"According to a new study, children whose mothers are depressed during pregnancy will have a small, increased risk of depression in adulthood."