Depression during pregnancy may affect development

Children whose mothers suffer antenatal depression may develop more slowly than others, according to new research published in the BJOG journal. The University of the West of England study looked at around 11,000 women and their children who were born in 1991 and 1992. Three quarters (74 per cent) were not depressed either during pregnancy or after, while 14 per cent were depressed on at least one occasion antenatally rather than postnatally. A small 1.4 per cent were persistently depressed both during pregnancy as well as after childbirth.

Researchers found that those children whose mothers had been depressed during pregnancy were more likely to show cognitive and behavioural problems.

It is not clear how antenatal depression affects children, but one study has suggested it may lead to women giving birth prematurely.

Professor Philip Steer, editor of the BJOG, said that it was "essential" for doctors and midwives to play an active role in assessing and identifying the condition, the BBC reported.

Meanwhile, a Royal College of Midwives spokeswoman told the BBC: "Where the problem is more serious, midwives are trained to refer on to a GP or community psychiatric nurse so that a woman gets the support and help she needs."