Maternal postnatal depression and child growth: a European cohort study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Previous studies have reported postpartum depression to be associated with both positive and negative effects on early infant growth. This study examined the hypothesis that maternal postnatal depression may be a risk factor for later child growth faltering or overweight.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A total of 929 women and their children participating in a European multicenter study were included at a median age of 14 days. Mothers completed the Edinburgh postnatal depression scale (EPDS) at 2, 3 and 6 months after delivery. EPDS scores of 13 and above at any time were defined as maternal depression. Weight, length, triceps and subscapular skinfold thicknesses were measured, and body mass index (BMI) were calculated when the children were two years old and converted to standard deviation scores based on the WHO Multicentre Growth Reference Study (MGRS).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Z-scores for weight-for-length at inclusion of infants of mothers with high EPDS scores (-0.55, SD 0.74) were lower than of those with normal scores (-0.36, SD 0.74; p = 0.013). BMI at age 24 months did not differ in the high (16.3 kg/m2, SD 1.3) and in the normal EPDS groups (16.2 kg/m2, SD 1.3; p = 0.48). All other anthropometric indices also did not differ between groups, with no change by multivariate adjustment.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>We conclude that a high maternal postnatal depression score does not have any major effects on offspring growth in high income countries.</p

Optimal Absolute Error Starting Values for Newton-Raphson Calculation of Square Root

The problem of obtaining optimal starting values for the calculation of square root using Newton-Raphson's Method is considered. This paper presents the best starting values theory in order to optimize the maximum absolute error after a given number of iterations. Two different methods are shown, and a third, which can be considered as a mixture of the previous two, is briefly discussed. The approach combines analytical and numerical methodologies, which gives more interesting results on the main characteristics of the behavior of the absolute error for different initializations. A comparison table between the traditional optimal relative error results and the absolute error ones is provided

Depressão pós-parto: fatores de risco e repercussões no desenvolvimento infantil Post-partum depression: risk factors and repercussions in infant development

A depressão pós-parto é uma condição que afeta 10&#37; a 15&#37; das mulheres no pós-parto. Este quadro tem seu início em algum momento durante o primeiro ano do pós-parto, havendo maior incidência entre a quarta e oitava semana após o parto. Geralmente se manifesta por um conjunto de sintomas como irritabilidade, choro freqüente, sentimentos de desamparo e desesperança, falta de energia e motivação, desinteresse sexual, transtornos alimentares e do sono, ansiedade, sentimentos de incapacidade de lidar com novas solicitações. O objetivo deste artigo é apresentar uma revisão bibliográfica acerca da depressão pós-parto. São abordados aspectos conceituais, epidemiológicos, fatores de risco associados a sua ocorrência e algumas repercussões da depressão pós-parto na relação materno-infantil e no desenvolvimento da criança. O conhecimento destes aspectos reveste-se de grande importância considerando as conseqüências prejudiciais às mães bem como ao desenvolvimento cognitivo, social e emocional de suas crianças.<br>The post-partum depression is a condition that affects 10 to 15&#37; of the women in the post-partum period. These symptoms begin at some moment during the first year after delivery, occurring more frequently between the fourth and eighth week after parturition. It is generally expressed through a complexity of symptoms where there is a presence of irritability, frequent crying, feelings of abandonment and hopelessness, lack of energy and motivation, lack of sexual interest, disturbances in sleep and eating patterns, anxiety, and feelings of not being able to cope with new demands. The objective of this paper is to present a bibliographical revision regarding the post-partum depression. Conceptual and epidemiological aspects, risk factors associated with their occurrence as well as a few repercussions of the post-partum depression in the mother-child relation, and the development of the infant will be broached. The awareness of these aspects has become very important due to the harmful consequences suffered by the mothers as well as cognitive, social and emotional development of their infants