Postnatal depression and infant growth and development in low income countries: a cohort study from Goa, India.

BACKGROUND Postnatal depression is a recognised cause of delayed cognitive development in infants in developed countries. Being underweight is common in South Asia. AIMS To determine whether postnatal depression contributes to poor growth and development outcomes in Goa, India. METHODS Cohort study for growth outcomes with nested case-control study for developmental outcomes. A total of 171 babies were weighed and measured at 6-8 weeks following birth. The following measures were used: Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale for maternal mood, and sociodemographic and infant health variables. Outcome measures were: weight (<5th centile), length (<5th centile), and Developmental Assessment Scale for Indian Infants scores at six months. RESULTS Postnatal depression was a strong, and independent, predictor of low weight and length and was significantly associated with adverse mental development quotient scores. CONCLUSIONS This study provides evidence for the first time that postnatal depression, a potentially treatable disorder, is a cause of poor growth and development in South Asia.