the The Relationship between Maternal Health and Postpartum Depression: Analysis of Risk Factors, Impacts on Child Development and Effective Interventions

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The focus of maternal health has expanded to include not only physical aspects, but also mental aspects, given the increasingly evident relationship between maternal mental health and adverse outcomes for both mother and baby. Among mental disorders, postpartum depression stands out as one of the most common and harmful, affecting mothers' quality of life and child development. Studies indicate that maternal depression can have serious consequences for both mother and baby, including complications in fetal and child development. The intersection of biological, psychological and socioeconomic factors highlights the need for early and effective interventions to prevent and treat perinatal depression, an area still lacking robust research and policies. OBJECTIVES: Analyze the risk factors that impact child development, highlighting interventions for maternal and child health. METHODOLOGY: This is a Bibliographic Review from July 2024 to August 2024 carried out in the PubMed database using the following Health Sciences Descriptors (DeCS): (maternal health) AND (Depression). The inclusion criteria were: articles in Portuguese and English from 2010 to 2024. The exclusion criteria were: duplicate articles, available in abstract form.  After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 50 articles were selected using 19 articles to compose the collection. RESULTS: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a prevalent condition, affecting between 10% and 18% of women globally, with significant variations between regions. PPD not only compromises mothers' mental health, but also negatively impacts babies' emotional and cognitive development. Risk factors such as history of depression, low income, and obstetric complications have been identified as significant predictors of PPD. Early interventions, especially cognitive behavioral psychotherapy, have been shown to be effective in mitigating PPD symptoms and promoting maternal and child health. Integrating mental health services into perinatal care and using mobile technologies in low- and middle-income countries are promising strategies to improve treatment adherence and reduce the negative effects of PPD globally. CONCLUSION: PPD remains a significant concern, affecting both mothers and child development. Various risk factors, combined with the lack of adequate care, increase vulnerability to PPD, especially in less developed regions. Early interventions and the integration of mental health care are essential for better child and maternal development.