Natalie Cook1, Susan Ayers2, Antje Horsch3. 1. The Oxford Institute of Clinical Psychology Training, Isis Education Centre, Warneford Hospital, Oxford OX3 7JX, United Kingdom. Electronic address: Natalie.Cook@nhs.net. 2. Centre for Maternal and Child Health Research, School of Health Sciences, City, University of London, Northampton Square, London EC1V 0HB, United Kingdom. Electronic address: susan.ayers@city.ac.uk. 3. Department Woman-Mother-Child, Lausanne University Hospital, Avenue Pierre-Decker 2, CH-1011 Lausanne, Switzerland. Electronic address: antje.horsch@chuv.ch.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Approximately 3.3% of women in pregnancy have posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and 4% of women postpartum PTSD. The impact of maternal PTSD during the perinatal period (from conception until one year postpartum) on child outcomes has not been systematically examined. METHOD: A systematic review was conducted to synthesize and critically evaluate quantitative research investigating the association between perinatal PTSD and child outcomes. Databases EMBASE, BNI, Medline, PsycInfo and CINAHL were searched using specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. RESULTS: 26 papers reporting 21 studies were identified that examined associations between perinatal PTSD and postpartum birth outcomes, child development, and mother-infant relationship. Studies reviewed were heterogeneous, with poor-to-medium scores of methodological quality. Results showed that maternal postpartum PTSD is associated with low birth weight and lower rates of breastfeeding. Evidence for an association between maternal PTSD and preterm birth, fetal growth, head circumference, mother-infant interaction, the mother-infant relationship or child development is contradictory. Associations between maternal PTSD and infant salivary cortisol levels, and eating/sleeping difficulties are based on single studies, so require replication. LIMITATIONS: Methodological weaknesses of the studies included insufficient sample size, use of invalidated measures, and limited external validity. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that perinatal PTSD is linked with some negative child outcomes. Early screening for PTSD during the perinatal period may be advisable and onward referral for effective treatment, if appropriate. Future research using larger sample sizes, validated and reliable clinical interviews to assess PTSD, and validated measures to assess a range of child outcomes, is needed.
BACKGROUND: Approximately 3.3% of women in pregnancy have posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and 4% of women postpartum PTSD. The impact of maternal PTSD during the perinatal period (from conception until one year postpartum) on child outcomes has not been systematically examined. METHOD: A systematic review was conducted to synthesize and critically evaluate quantitative research investigating the association between perinatal PTSD and child outcomes. Databases EMBASE, BNI, Medline, PsycInfo and CINAHL were searched using specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. RESULTS: 26 papers reporting 21 studies were identified that examined associations between perinatal PTSD and postpartum birth outcomes, child development, and mother-infant relationship. Studies reviewed were heterogeneous, with poor-to-medium scores of methodological quality. Results showed that maternal postpartum PTSD is associated with low birth weight and lower rates of breastfeeding. Evidence for an association between maternal PTSD and preterm birth, fetal growth, head circumference, mother-infant interaction, the mother-infant relationship or child development is contradictory. Associations between maternal PTSD and infant salivary cortisol levels, and eating/sleeping difficulties are based on single studies, so require replication. LIMITATIONS: Methodological weaknesses of the studies included insufficient sample size, use of invalidated measures, and limited external validity. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that perinatal PTSD is linked with some negative child outcomes. Early screening for PTSD during the perinatal period may be advisable and onward referral for effective treatment, if appropriate. Future research using larger sample sizes, validated and reliable clinical interviews to assess PTSD, and validated measures to assess a range of child outcomes, is needed.
Authors: Bizu Gelaye; Sixto E Sanchez; Ana Andrade; Oswaldo Gómez; Ann L Coker; Nancy Dole; Marta B Rondon; Michelle A Williams Journal: J Affect Disord Date: 2019-11-04 Impact factor: 4.839
Authors: Kathryn J Malin; Teresa S Johnson; Sarah McAndrew; Jacqueline Westerdahl; Jonathan Leuthner; Joanne Lagatta Journal: Early Hum Dev Date: 2019-11-20 Impact factor: 2.079
Authors: Erica Sood; Amy Jo Lisanti; Sarah E Woolf-King; Jo Wray; Nadine Kasparian; Emily Jackson; Mary R Gregory; Keila N Lopez; Bradley S Marino; Trent Neely; Amy Randall; Sinai C Zyblewski; Cheryl L Brosig Journal: Cardiol Young Date: 2021-06-04 Impact factor: 1.093
Authors: Rebecca Blackmore; Kylie M Gray; Glenn A Melvin; Louise Newman; Jacqueline A Boyle; Melanie Gibson-Helm Journal: Arch Womens Ment Health Date: 2021-08-05 Impact factor: 3.633