Postpartum Depression in Mothers of Infants With Cleft Lip and/or Palate

Abstract

This study describes postpartum depression rates and risk factors for mothers with infants with cleft lip and/or palate as postpartum depression has been associated with a range of negative maternal and child outcomes. A retrospective chart review from August 2009 to May 2015 included medical diagnoses, demographics, receipt of prenatal diagnosis, and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Mothers (N = 206) had infants (59.2% male; mean age in weeks 5.1 ± 6.9) with isolated cleft lip (18%), cleft palate (22.8%), or cleft lip and palate (59.2%). Mothers ranged from 16 to 45 years old (mean age 29 ± 6.2) and half had received a prenatal diagnosis. Patients mostly had public insurance (57.8%) and represented diverse ethnicities. Based on the EPDS, 11.7% of mothers met the depression cutoff of 10 or higher. The majority endorsed self-blame (68.9%), difficulty coping (59.2%), and feeling anxious (57.3%). Mothers of infants with cleft lip or cleft lip and palate who did not receive a prenatal diagnosis had higher total EPDS scores, anxiety, and incidence of feeling scared. Higher EPDS scores were predicted by not having a prenatal diagnosis and by older maternal age. Mothers of infants with a cleft had similar rates of postpartum depression as the general population; however, those who were older and who did not receive a prenatal diagnosis endorsed more symptoms. Prenatal diagnosis may contribute to positive maternal postpartum adjustment. Providers should incorporate screening for risk factors into their evaluation and treatment planning.

Association of cleft lip and palate on mother-to-infant bonding: a cross-sectional study in the Japan Environment and Children’s Study (JECS)

“…CL/P can be repaired with craniofacial plastic surgeries [2, 4]; however, parents of infants with CL/P generally suffer from parenting and/or caregiving issues as a result of lower infant weight gain due to difficulties in direct breastfeeding and higher risk for upper respiratory infection [5–7]. Mothers of infants with CL/P reportedly tend to show negative moods such as depression and anxiety [8, 9]. Johns et al found a higher tendency of postpartum depression among older mothers of infants with CL/P [9].…”

Estudio Comparativo de Crecimiento Estaturo Ponderal y Acceso a Lactancia Materna Durante el Primer Año de Vida de Niños con Fisura Labio Máxilo Palatina versus Niños sin Fisura

“…Evaluar el estado psicológico de las madres no era un objetivo de este trabajo, pero es un factor relevante que afecta al vínculo que éstas puedan lograr con sus hijos con FLMP, influyendo directamente en las prácticas de lactancia materna, por lo que sería interesante incluirlo en investigaciones futuras. El diagnóstico prenatal de la FLMP, puede contribuir al ajuste postparto materno positivo y no tenerlo constituye un factor de riesgo para la depresión post-parto (Johns et al, 2018).…”

Association of Cleft Lip and Palate on Mother-to-Infant Bonding: a Cross-Sectional Study in the Japan Environment and Children's Study (JECS).

“…CL/P can be repaired with craniofacial plastic surgeries [2,4]; however, parents of infants with CL/P generally suffer from parenting and/or caregiving issues as a result of lower infant weight gain due to difficulties in direct breastfeeding and higher risk for upper respiratory infection [5][6][7]. Mothers of infants with CL/P reportedly tend to show negative moods such as depression and anxiety [8,9]. Johns et al found a higher tendency of postpartum depression among older mothers of infants with CL/P [9].…”