Interventions for common perinatal mental disorders in women in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Nurturing care: promoting early childhood development

“…Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) influences multiple aspects of child development and has been linked to poorer neurodevelopmental outcomes, risks of prematurity, reduced school performance, and heightened behavioural problems in children. (58) Evidence suggests that linear growth is correlated across generations and short maternal stature is associated with low birth weight, stunting, childbirth complications, and increased child mortality. (59) The provision of a balanced energy and protein diet (60) as well as multiple micronutrients for women of childbearing age (58) and expectant mothers at risk of deficiencies show potential benefits in reducing the risk of IUGR, small for gestational age (SGA) births, and stillbirths.…”

“…(58) Evidence suggests that linear growth is correlated across generations and short maternal stature is associated with low birth weight, stunting, childbirth complications, and increased child mortality. (59) The provision of a balanced energy and protein diet (60) as well as multiple micronutrients for women of childbearing age (58) and expectant mothers at risk of deficiencies show potential benefits in reducing the risk of IUGR, small for gestational age (SGA) births, and stillbirths. Iron and iron-folate supplementation during pregnancy reduces the risk of SGA and premature births, (61) while folic acid fortification is associated with prevention of neural tube defects and risk of adverse birth outcomes.…”

Correlation between intake of omega-3 fatty acids and depressive and anxiety symptoms during pregnancy

“…Pregnancy is a biopsychosocial condition that can increase the risk of mental disorders such as anxiety and depression in nearly 15.6% of pregnant women (Rahman et al, 2013). Anxiety symptoms (AS) during pregnancy have an international prevalence between 9.1% and 15.6% (Fadzil et al, 2013;Rubertsson et al, 2014) and a prevalence between 10% and 15% in Mexico (Ceballos-Martínez et al, 2010;Navarrete et al, 2012).…”

Improving the mental health of women and girls: psychiatrists as partners for change

“…Section officers and members are also contributing extensively to the WPA official journal World Psychiatry [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] . Their interest and participation in the development of the chapter on mental disorders of the ICD-11 is another ongoing contribution to the psychiatric field [14][15][16][17] .…”

“…The settings for action include community groups, schools, primary health care, and maternal and child health services. The WPA will encourage psychiatrists and other mental health professionals to use their expertise in diverse settings to promote participatory approaches to health and mental health and facilitate the mental health work of non-specialists across a range of community settings 11 . Important needs are: the psychological consequences of violence, including violence in the home, genital mutilation, rape and the trafficking of women and girls for prostitution; improving mental health in the perinatal period; the isolation of women as caregivers; deaths from suicide among young women in low-and middle-income countries; and the needs of women and girls in displaced populations and in emergencies.…”