The purpose of this paper is to present research on the effects of postpartum depression (PPD) on mothers, fathers, and children that point to a re-conceptualization of PPD as a mental health condition that affects the whole family. As such, the objectives of this paper are to discuss: (1) the incidence and effects of PPD on mothers and fathers; (2) common predictors of PPD in mothers and fathers, and (3) the effects of PPD on parenting and parent-child relationships, and (4) the effects of PPD on children's health, and their cognitive and social-emotional development. Finally, the implications for screening and intervention if depression is re-conceptualized as a condition of the family are discussed.

Objective To examine the risk for persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn associated with antenatal exposure to antidepressants.Design Systematic review and meta-analysis.Data sources Embase, Medline, PsycINFO, and CINAHL from inception to 30 December 2012.Eligibility English language studies reporting persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn associated with exposure to antidepressants. Two independent reviewers extracted data and assessed the quality of each article. ResultsOf the 3077 abstracts reviewed, 738 papers were retrieved and seven included. All seven studies were above our quality threshold. Quantitative analysis was only possible for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Although exposure to SSRIs in early pregnancy was not associated with persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (odds ratio 1.23, 95% confidence interval 0.58 to 2.60; P=0.58), exposure in late pregnancy was (2.50, 1.32 to 4.73; P=0.005). Effects were not significant for any of the moderator variables examined, including study design, congenital malformations, and meconium aspiration. It was not possible to assess for the effect of caesarean section, body mass index, or preterm delivery. The absolute risk difference for development of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn after exposure to SSRIs in late pregnancy was 2.9 to 3.5 per 1000 infants; therefore an estimated 286 to 351 women would need to be treated with an SSRI in late pregnancy to result in an average of one additional case of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn. ConclusionsThe risk of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn seems to be increased for infants exposed to SSRIs in late pregnancy, independent of the potential moderator variables examined. A significant relation for exposure to SSRIs in early pregnancy was not evident. Although the statistical association was significant, clinically the absolute risk of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn remained low even in the context of late exposure to SSRIs.

Objectives: This study was developed to psychometrically assess the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form (BSES-SF) among women living in Fortaleza-CE-Brazil and to examine the relationship between breastfeeding self-efficacy and maternal demographic variables. Methods:This methodological study replicated the original psychometric assessment of the BSES-SF conducted in Canada. A convenience sample of 294 postpartum women were recruited.Results: The Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the BSES-SF was 0.74. Significant relationship was found between breastfeeding self-efficacy and maternal age (r=0.138; p=0.018). No relationship was found between breastfeeding self-efficacy and maternal occupation, educational level, marital status, family income or number of pregnancy suggesting BSES-SF may be a unique tool to identifying women at risk to prematurely discontinue breastfeeding. Conclusions:The BSES-SF is a valid, instrument for measuring Brazilian women's confidence in their ability to breastfeed. Study results can be used by health workers to plan interventions targeting women in most need of support to reduce premature discontinuation.

No abstract