[Infanticide as a consequence of postpartum bonding disorder].

Parental killing of their own children in the 1st year constitutes a rare phenomenon. Studies on infanticide show that mothers who kill their children are frequently psychiatrically disturbed. Depression is the most common postpartum disorder and may represent a vital danger for both mother and child. The association between depression and infanticide can usually be explained by maternal psychopathologic symptoms. The importance of a mother's bonding to her infant has not often been examined in respect to infanticide. The present case report underlines the importance of postpartum bonding disorder and its relation to a higher risk of infanticide.