Postnatal maternal depressive symptoms and behavioural outcomes in term-born and preterm-born toddlers: a longitudinal UK community cohort study

Abstract

Our findings indicate that children whose mothers reported increased depressive symptoms in the early postnatal period, including subclinical symptoms, exhibit more parent-reported behavioural problems in toddlerhood. These associations were independent of gestational age. Further research is needed to confirm the clinical significance of these findings.