Timing and chronicity of maternal depression symptoms and children's verbal abilities

ObjectiveTo test the associations between the timing and chronicity of maternal depression symptoms (MDS)and children’s long-term verbal abilities.Study designParticipants were 1073 mother-child pairs from a population-based birth cohort in Canada. MDSwere assessed at ages 5 months, 1.5, 3.5, and 5 years using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies DepressionScale. Verbal abilities were measured at 5, 6, and 10 years using the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-Revised(PPVT-R). Multiple linear regression models were used to estimate the association between timing (early: 5 monthsand/or 1.5 years vs late 3.5 and/or 5 years) and chronicity (5 months, 1.5, 3.5, and 5 years) of exposure to el-evated MDS and children’s mean PPVT-R scores.ResultsChildren exposed to chronic MDS had lower PPVT-R scores than children never exposed (mean differ-ence=9.04 [95% CI=2.28-15.80]), exposed early (10.08 [3.33-16.86]) and exposed late (8.69 [1.85-15.53]). Therewere no significant differences between scores of children in the early compared with the late exposure group. Weadjusted for mother-child interactions, family functioning, socioeconomic status, PPVT-R administration language,child’s birth order, and maternal IQ, psychopathology, education, native language, age at birth of child, and par-enting practices. Maternal IQ, (h2=0.028), native language (h2=0.009), and MDS (h2=0.007) were the main pre-dictors of children’s verbal abilities.ConclusionsExposure to chronic MDS in early childhood is associated with lower levels of verbal abilities inmiddle childhood. Further research is needed in larger community samples to test the association between MDSand children’s long-term language skills

Adaptation of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Disorders for assessing depression in women during pregnancy and post-partum across countries and cultures

BackgroundTo date, no study has used standardised diagnostic assessment procedures to determine whether rates of perinatal depression vary across cultures.AimsTo adapt the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM–IV Disorders (SCID) for assessing depression and other non-psychotic psychiatric illness perinatally and to pilot the instrument in different centres and cultures.MethodAssessments using the adapted SCID and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale were conducted during the third trimester of pregnancy and at 6 months postpartum with 296 women from ten sites in eight countries. Point prevalence rates during pregnancy and the postnatal period and adjusted 6-month period prevalence rates were computed for caseness, depression and major depression.ResultsThe third trimester and 6-month point prevalence rates for perinatal depression were 6.9% and 8.0%, respectively. Postnatal 6-month period prevalence rates for perinatal depression ranged from 2.1% to 31.6% across centres and there were significant differences in these rates between centres.ConclusionsStudy findings suggest that the SCID was successfully adapted for this context. Further research on determinants of differences inprevalence of depression across cultures isneeded

Acceptance Mindfulness-Trait as a Protective Factor for Post-Natal Depression: A Preliminary Research

(1) Background: the prevalence of postnatal depression (PND) reaches up to 20%. PND could be based on the interaction between a psychological vulnerability and chronic stress that pregnancy would activate. Vulnerability factors reflect a psychological profile mirroring mindfulness-trait (MT). A high level of MT is associated with an efficient regulation of both physiological and psychological stress, especially negative moods. Interestingly, mindfulness level can be improved by program based on mindfulness meditation. We hypothesize that MT is a protective factor for PND. We also postulate that negative moods increase during the pregnancy for women who develop a PND after delivery (2) Methods: we conducted a multicentric prospective longitudinal study including 85 women during their first trimester of their pregnancy and 72 from the childbirth to the baby’s first birthday”. At the inclusion, presence and acceptance of MT and various variables of personality and of psychological functioning were assessed. Mood evolution was monitored each month during the pregnancy and a delivery trauma risk was evaluated after delivery. PND detection was carried out at 48 h, 2, 6 and 12 months after the delivery with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale with a screening cut-off >11. (3) Results: high-acceptance MT is a protective factor for PND (OR: 0.79). Women without PND displayed less negative mood during pregnancy (p < 0.05 for Anxiety, Confusion and Anger). (4) Conclusions: these results suggest the value of deploying programs to enhance the level of mindfulness, especially in its acceptance dimension, before, during and after pregnancy, to reduce the risk of PND. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

BMJ Open

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of postnatal depression (PND) is significant: reaching up to 20% in the general population. In mechanistic terms, the risk of PND lies in an interaction between a maternal psychophysiological vulnerability and a chronic environmental context of stress. On the one hand, repetition of stressor during pregnancy mimics a chronic stress model that is relevant to the study of the allostatic load and the adaptive mechanisms. On the other hand, vulnerability factors reflect a psychological profile mirroring mindfulness functioning (psychological quality that involves bringing one's complete and non-judgemental attention to the present experience on a moment-to-moment basis). This psychological resource is linked to protective and resilient psychic functioning. Thus, PND appears to be a relevant model for studying the mechanisms of chronic stress and vulnerability to psychopathologies.In this article, we present the protocol of an ongoing study (started in May 2017). METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The study is being carried out in five maternities and will involve 260 women. We aim to determine the predictive psychobiological factors for PND emergence and to provide a better insight into the mechanisms involved in chronic stress during pregnancy. We use a multidisciplinary approach that encompasses psychological resources and biophysiological and genetic profiles in order to detect relevant vulnerability biomarkers for chronic stress and the development of PND. To do so, each woman will be involved in the study from her first trimester of pregnancy until 12 months postdelivery. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethics approval was obtained from the Ile de France III Ethics Committee, France (2016-A00887-44). We aim to disseminate the findings through international conferences and international peer-reviewed journals. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03088319; Pre-results

Int J Mol Sci

The placenta is a key organ for fetal and brain development. Its epigenome can be regarded as a biochemical record of the prenatal environment and a potential mechanism of its association with the future health of the fetus. We investigated associations between placental DNA methylation levels and child behavioral and emotional difficulties, assessed at 3 years of age using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) in 441 mother-child dyads from the EDEN cohort. Hypothesis-driven and exploratory analyses (on differentially methylated probes (EWAS) and regions (DMR)) were adjusted for confounders, technical factors, and cell composition estimates, corrected for multiple comparisons, and stratified by child sex. Hypothesis-driven analyses showed an association of cg26703534 () with emotional symptoms, and exploratory analyses identified two probes, cg09126090 (intergenic region) and cg10305789 (), as negatively associated with peer relationship problems, as well as 33 DMRs, mostly positively associated with at least one of the SDQ subscales. Among girls, most associations were seen with emotional difficulties, whereas in boys, DMRs were as much associated with emotional than behavioral difficulties. This study provides the first evidence of associations between placental DNA methylation and child behavioral and emotional difficulties. Our results suggest sex-specific associations and might provide new insights into the mechanisms of neurodevelopment.Exposition prénatale au tabac et à la pollution atmosphérique et effets sur la santé respiratoire et le neurodévelopment de l'enfant: rôle de la méthylation placentaireHorizon 2020 research and innovation programm

Pregnancy denial: a complex symptom with life context as a trigger? A prospective case-control study

OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors for a woman to experience pregnancy denial. DESIGN, SETTING AND POPULATION: A French multicentric prospective case-control study with 71 mother-infant dyads having experienced a pregnancy denial versus a control group of 71 dyads. METHODS: Data were collected in the week after delivery using an observational leaflet and two psychiatric scales (MINI and QSSP). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Statistically significant differences between the two groups regarding social, demographic, medical and psychiatric data. RESULTS: Not being in a stable relationship (odds ratio [OR] 17.18, 95% CI 3.37-87.60]; P < 0.0001), not having a high school diploma (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.04-1.38]; P < 0.0001) and having a psychiatric history (OR 6.33, 95% CI 1.62-24.76; P = 0.0002) were risk factors to experience pregnancy denial, whereas being older was a protective factor (OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.79-0.93; P = 0.0054) (logistic regression, Wald 95% CI). Other risk factors included late declarations of pregnancy history and past pregnancy denials (case n = 7, 9.7% versus 0% in controls; P = 0.01), past pregnancy denials in the family (case n = 13, 18% versus control n = 4, 5.6%; P = 0.03), and use of a contraceptive method (75% for cases versus 7% in control; P < 0.0001), primarily an oral contraceptive (75%). CONCLUSION: Family or personal history of pregnancy denial should be part of the systematic anamnesis during the first visit of a patient of child-bearing age. Further, our study points out that life context (young age, single status, socio-economic precarity, pill-based contraception) could be a trigger for pregnancy denial in certain women. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Life context can be a trigger for pregnancy denial

Neurobiology and neuroimaging of the maternal brain

Introduction: The epidemiology of psychiatric disorders of the perinatal period and their mainly thymic dimension are now well established. However, the underlying physiopathology remains uncertain and poorly explored. Objectives: The purpose of this presentation is to explore the current knowledge in terms of neurobiology/neuroimaging underlying the modifications in maternal brain functioning and the links with perinatal psychiatric disorders. Methods: A narrative review of the current international literature was carried out. Results: Results of the current studies suggest that during pregnancy and the postpartumperiod, hormones and sensory interactions with the offspring relate to complex structural and functional changes in the brain. This reproduction-related brain plasticity embraces various areas implicated in maternal caregiving, primarily regions involved in reward/motivation, salience/threat detection, emotional regulation, and social cognition such as the ability to empathize and infer the mental state of the baby. Some structural irregularities and differences in activation patterns potentially involved in the triggering of disorders are starting to be identified. Conclusions: The survival of newborns is largely dependent on the mother, and her brain appears to have evolved to support motherinfant bonding and sensitive care. Brain research offers a growing scientific understanding of the neural correlates of these disorders and opens a window to their prevention and treatment. Disclosure of Interest: None Declare

Impact des manies et états mixtes puerperaux sur les interactions précoces mère-bébé

INTRODUCTION : Les manies et les états mixtes puerpéraux présentent des formes cliniques qui rendent l'accès thymique hautement dangereux pour la mère et son bébé. Peu de travaux ont exploré l'impact de ces troubles de l'humeur du post-partum sur les interactions mère-bébé. OBJECTIF : Evaluer la nature des difficultés dans les interacrions mère-bébé en cas de manie et d'état mixte du post-partum. Déterminer si d'autres facteurs cliniques et socioprofessionnels peuvent induire des effets sur les interactions. METHODE : A partir d'une cohorte de 54 dyades hospitalisées pour trouble thymique puerpéral, nous avons évalué et comparé les interactions mère-bébé de 4 groupes (manie sans symptômes psychotiques, manie psychotique, état mixte, épisode dépressif) en utilisant "l'échelle de notations globales des interactions mère-bébé". RESULTATS : Les interactions globales des mères en phase de manie sans symptômes psychotiques présenteraient des séquences positives d'attention manuelle. La présence de caractéristiques psychotiques associées à la manie pourrait être un facteur de risque de difficultés interactives. La situiation monoparentale de la mère, les antécédents de prématurité du bébé et le début de la prise en charge du trouble auraient une infkluence sur les interactions. CONCLUSION : D'autres recherches devront être menées afin d'observer l'évolution du fonctionnement psychique de l'enfant et de pouvoir poser des indications thérapeutiques au moment le plus favorable.BACKGROUND : Puerperal mania and mixed states present clinical forms that make thymic episode highly dangerous for both mother and baby. Few studies have explored the impact of these post-partum mood disorders on the mother-baby interactions. AIM : To assess the nature of the difficulties in the mother-infant interactions in case of puerperal mania and mixed state. Determine whether ither clinical and socio-professional factors may induced effects on interactions. METHOD : From a cohort of 54 dyads hospitalized for puerperal mood disorder, the mother-infant interactions of 4 groups (mania without psychic symptoms, psychotic mania, mixed state, depressed mothers) were evaluated and compared with the "Global Ratings Scales of Mother-Infant Interactions". RESULTS : It appears that mania without psychotic symptoms doees not alter the sequence of mutual attention. The psychotic mania could be a risk factor for interaction difficulties. The situation of single mothers, a history of prematurity and early treatment of disease have an influence on the interactions. CONCLUSION : Further research should be conducted to observe the evolution of the psychic fonctioning of the child and to ask therapeutic indications at the most favorable.BORDEAUX2-BU Santé (330632101) / SudocSudocFranceF

Evènements de vie, stress prénatal (retentissement sur le comportement neonatal)

BORDEAUX2-BU Santé (330632101) / SudocPARIS-BIUM (751062103) / SudocSudocFranceF