Some small studies suggest that maternal postnatal depression is a risk factor for
offspring adolescent depression. However, to our knowledge, no large cohort studies
have addressed this issue. Furthermore, only 1 small study has examined the association
between antenatal depression and later offspring depression. Understanding these associations
is important to inform prevention.
To investigate the hypothesis that there are independent associations between antenatal
and postnatal depression with offspring depression and that the risk pathways are
different, such that the risk is moderated by disadvantage (low maternal education)
with postnatal depression but not with antenatal depression.
Prospective investigation of associations between symptoms of antenatal and postnatal
parental depression with offspring depression at age 18 years in a UK community-based
birth cohort (Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children) with data from more
than 4500 parents and their adolescent offspring.
Diagnosis of offspring aged 18 years with major depression using the International
Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision.
Antenatal depression was an independent risk factor. Offspring were 1.28 times (95%
CI, 1.08-1.51; P = .003) more likely to have depression at age 18 years for each standard
deviation increase in maternal depression score antenatally, independent of later
maternal depression. Postnatal depression was also a risk factor for mothers with
low education, with offspring 1.26 times (95% CI, 1.06-1.50; P = .01) more likely
to have depression for each standard deviation increase in postnatal depression score.
However, for more educated mothers, there was little association (odds ratio, 1.09;
95% CI, 0.88-1.36; P = .42). Analyses found that maternal education moderated the
effects of postnatal but not antenatal depression. Paternal depression antenatally
was not associated with offspring depression, while postnatally, paternal depression
showed a similar pattern to maternal depression.
The findings suggest that treating maternal depression antenatally could prevent offspring
depression during adulthood and that prioritizing less advantaged mothers postnatally
may be most effective.