Prenatal maternal depression and child behavioural and developmental outcomes: an individual participant data meta-analysis in 76,514 children from the EU Child Cohort Network | Synapse
March 3, 2026Open Access
Prenatal maternal depression and child behavioural and developmental outcomes: an individual participant data meta-analysis in 76,514 children from the EU Child Cohort Network
Key Points
Child behavioural and developmental outcomes are negatively impacted by prenatal maternal depression, especially in larger cohorts.
In the analysis of data from 76,514 children, a clear correlation was found between maternal depression and adverse child outcomes.
Utilizing individual participant data meta-analysis across the EU Child Cohort Network provided comprehensive insights into these relationships.
This highlights the importance of addressing maternal mental health during pregnancy to improve child development outcomes.