Influence of antenatal depression on offspring's communicative intention in toddler years

Abstract

This study investigated the association between prenatal stress, in terms of antenatal depression, and toddler’s communicative intention at age two using a prospective design. A population cohort of 31 mothers were recruited in the third trimester of their pregnancy and their depression level was measured using a validated questionnaire, Edinburg Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Their children’s communicative intentions were evaluated with a standardized assessment tool, Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales Developmental Profile (CSBS-DP) and particularly investigated (1) gesture use, (2) emotion, and (3) communication (types and number of communicative intentions expressed). Multiple linear regression revealed depression level in the third trimester significantly predicted reduced gesture use in the children, after controlling for postnatal depression level in the two-year postpartum. This finding supports prenatal stress as a potential risk factor for children with social communication deficits, such as ASD. The findings also support future research in finding direct association of ASD with prenatal stress using a prospective longitudinal design.