Depression among pregnant women ‘can affect child’s development’

Pregnant women suffering from depression may be seeing their mental state affecting the condition of their unborn child, according to new research.

The University of Michigan has published results from a study which aimed to evaluate the link between maternal depression and the development of infant neuroendocrine systems among 154 women.

It was found that the different hormone levels seen in the bodies of depressed women led to higher levels of stress hormones in their children at birth, resulting in various neurological and behavioural differences.

For example, the offspring of depressed mothers were more likely to have decreased muscle tone, but also showed potential signs of improved neurological maturity.

Dr Sheila Marcus, the study's lead author, said: "It's difficult to say to what extent these differences are good or bad, or what impact they might have over a longer timeframe."

Earlier this year, the University of Bristol collaborated on research which suggested that children from urban areas whose mothers were depressed during pregnancy are more likely to show antisocial behaviour later in life.