Maternal depression and perceived social support as predictors of cognitive function trajectories during the first 3 years of life for preterm infants in Wisconsin

Background Among families of infants born preterm, the association between post-natal depression and children's cognitive function is not well understood, but thought to be compromised. The purpose of this study is to investigate maternal depressive symptoms and perceived social support as predictors of children's cognitive function trajectories. Methods This is a longitudinal study of a sample of infants born preterm (less than 37 weeks) in Wisconsin. This study includes 130 infants who were hospitalized in one of three Wisconsin neonatal intensive care units in 2002-2005 and followed until 36 months of age. Maternal depressive symptoms were measured using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Social support was measured using the Maternal Support Scale. Children's cognitive function was measured using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, 2nd Edition, and the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale, 5th Edition. Results Children's cognitive function trajectories declined initially and then increased. Being female (coefficient = 5.14, SE = 1.89) and non-poor (coefficient = 11.26, SE = 5.78), and having a mother who has a graduate degree (coefficient = 7.67, SE = 3.37) was associated with higher levels of cognition initially. Being white was associated with a more optimal cognitive trajectory. Although depression did not predict children's cognitive trajectories, the presence of clinically elevated depressive symptoms at 9 months post term was associated with lower cognitive functioning at 16 months when mothers reported low social support. Conclusion Post-natal depressive symptoms appear to have a meaningful, dynamic influence on the cognitive outcomes of children born preterm, above and beyond family socio-demographic risk when the presence and timing of perceived social support are considered. Interventions to ameliorate developmental risk associated with preterm birth should include repeated assessments of maternal social support and post-natal depression and be targeted towards socially disadvantaged families.