Maternal perinatal depression linked to higher autism traits risk in toddlers: study
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Maternal perinatal depression may increase the risk of autism related traits in toddlers, with girls appearing to be more strongly affected, according to a new study published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry.
The research was conducted by scientists from the Department of Psychiatry at Tohoku University in Japan, led by Dr Zhiqian Yu and Professor Hiroaki Tomita. The study analysed data from more than 23,000 mother-child pairs enrolled in the Tohoku Medical Megabank Project Birth and Three Generation Cohort Study.
Perinatal depression refers to depressive symptoms that occur during pregnancy or after childbirth.
The World Health Organization estimates that nearly 10 percent of pregnant women and 13 percent of women after childbirth experience the condition. Untreated perinatal depression can affect a mother’s ability to function and may negatively influence a child’s growth and development.
In the study, researchers assessed maternal depressive symptoms during early and mid pregnancy and at one month after delivery using standard psychological scales. They found that higher depression scores were associated with increased autism related traits in toddlers, measured using a behavioural assessment scale.
While autism is more commonly diagnosed in boys, the study found that the association between maternal perinatal depression and autism related traits was stronger in girls. Girls in the study also showed lower birth weights and a stronger link between autistic traits and impaired mother-infant bonding.
To explore possible biological mechanisms, the researchers conducted experiments in mice. Female offspring of stressed mother mice showed autism like behaviours and changes in oxytocin-related brain pathways.
The researchers stressed that the findings do not mean maternal depression causes autism. The study did not rely on clinical diagnoses but on questionnaire-based measures. They said the results highlight the importance of early mental health support for mothers to protect long-term developmental outcomes in children.