Infants born to first‐time mothers with a refugee background faced an increased risk of regulatory problems

Abstract

AimThis study investigated the association between mothers’ migration background and infant regulatory problems and analysed the mediating role of maternal mental health. We also explored whether the child's sex, parity and length of residence moderated the effect of a maternal migrant background.MethodsChild health surveillance data from the Danish home visiting programme was used. Community health nurses followed infants from birth to 12 months of age. The source population comprised 103,813 infants born between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2018. The final sample comprised 62,964 infants, including 3.4% with a refugee background. A maternal migrant background was the primary exposure. The results are presented as risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).ResultsA maternal refugee background increased the risk of regulatory problems in offspring (RR 1.34, 95% CI 1.18–1.51). The effect was partially mediated by maternal postpartum mental health concerns. The association between maternal refugee background and infant regulatory problems was more pronounced in first‐time mothers (RR 1.80, 95% CI 1.51‐2.15).ConclusionThe risk of infant regulatory problems was higher in the first‐born children of refugee mothers. First‐time refugee parents may need tailored support to identify mental health needs and infants with regulatory problems.

Issue highlights

“…A Danish study by Marti‐Castaner et al 9 . found that a maternal refugee background increased the risk of infant regulatory problems, such as excessive crying and difficulties feeding and sleeping.…”

Psychosocial support for refugee parents in well‐baby clinics

“…portrefugeefamilies.Theirlarge,population-basedstudyfoundan increased risk of regulatory problems in infants born to first-time mothers with a refugee background. 1 The authors collected information from community nurses on regulatory problems reported byparents,suchassleeping,feeding,eatingandexcessivecryingor fussiness.Theirresultsshowedthatinfantsborntorefugeemothers were more likely to have regulatory problems than those born to non-refugee immigrant mothers and infants from the majority Danishpopulation.…”

“…In this issue of Acta Paediatrica , Marti Catstaner et al provide new and important knowledge that could help well‐baby clinics to support refugee families. Their large, population‐based study found an increased risk of regulatory problems in infants born to first‐time mothers with a refugee background 1 . The authors collected information from community nurses on regulatory problems reported by parents, such as sleeping, feeding, eating and excessive crying or fussiness.…”

“…Marti Castaner et al 1 have made a valuable contribution to the literature by highlighting the importance that socioeconomic factors play in regulation problems in infants born to refugee mothers. This is an understudied, but important aspect, of the intergenerational transmission of mental health problems in refugees.…”