Antenatal depression and offspring psychopathology: the influence of childhood maltreatment

Background Antenatal depression and childhood maltreatment have each been associated with offspring psychopathology, but have never been examined in the same sample. Aims To determine whether childhood maltreatment influences the association between antenatal depression and offspring psychopathology. Method Prospectively collected data on antenatal depression, offspring maltreatment (age 11) and offspring psychopathology (age 11 and 16) were analysed in 120 mother-offspring dyads from the community-based South London Child Development Study. Results Antenatal depression increased the risk of maltreatment in the offspring by almost four times. Children exposed only to antenatal depression or only to childhood maltreatment were no more at risk of developing psychopathology; however, children exposed to both antenatal depression and childhood maltreatment were at almost 12 times greater risk of developing psychopathology than offspring not so exposed. Conclusions Research investigating exposure to adverse events in utero and offspring psychopathology should take account of postnatal adverse events such as maltreatment.