What question did this study set out to answer?

This review aims to evaluate the link between postnatal mental health-related hospitalization and child development and educational outcomes.

June 1, 2026Open Access

Association between postnatal mental health-related hospitalisation and child development and education outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

DBDemeke Mesfin BelayCharles Darwin University ADAbel Fekadu DadiAddis Continental Institute of Public Health YKYohannes Tesfahun KassieDebre Tabor University

Key Points

This review aims to evaluate the link between postnatal mental health-related hospitalization and child development and educational outcomes.
Conducted a systematic literature search across multiple databases including MEDLINE and Scopus.
Performed a weighted random-effects meta-analysis and a trim and fill analysis for publication bias.
Assessed the quality of the included studies using the Joanna Briggs Institute tool.
Children of mothers with postnatal mental health hospitalizations had a significantly higher odds of developmental vulnerability (POR = 1.53, 95% CI; 1.20–1.86).
Increased odds of below-average academic performance were observed, particularly in spelling (POR = 1.48, 95% CI; 1.01–1.95).
Cognitive domain vulnerability showed a higher odds ratio (POR = 2.41, 95% CI; 1.00–3.82), although results were less certain.

Abstract

Aim This study consolidates existing knowledge regarding the association between postnatal mental health-related hospitalisation (MHrH) and childhood development and education outcomes. Methods We searched MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Scopus, Embase, Google Scholar, and the reference list of accessed papers. A weighted random-effects meta-analysis was conducted. A trim and fill analysis was executed following the detection of publication bias. Quality assessment of included studies was performed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) tool. Results Children whose mothers experienced postnatal MHrH had elevated odds of developmental vulnerability in any of five developmental domains (Pooled Odds Ratio (POR) = 1.53, 95% CI; 1.20–1.86), in the social domain (POR = 1.27, 95% CI; 1.18–1.35), emotional domain (POR = 1.34, 95% CI; 1.16–1.51), and physical domain (POR = 1.26, 95% CI; 1.14–1.38) compared to children whose mothers had no postnatal MHrH. Children whose mothers experienced postnatal MHrH had elevated odds of below-average academic performance on any of four measures (POR = 1.57, 95% CI; 1.07–2.07), spelling measure (POR = 1.48, 95% CI; 1.01–1.95), and writing measure (POR = 1.37, 95% CI; 1.04–1.70). A higher albeit statistically uncertain odds of developmental vulnerability in the cognitive domain was found to be associated with postnatal MHrH (POR = 2.41, 95% CI; 1.00–3.82). No statistically significant associations were observed between postnatal MHrH and vulnerability in the communication skill (POR = 1.21, 95%; CI 0.96–1.47), or with below-average academic performance in numeracy (POR = 2.02, 95%; CI 0.37–3.68) and reading (POR = 1.57, 95%; CI 0.59–2.55). Conclusion This review found that children whose mothers experienced postnatal MHrH were at greater risk of vulnerability in at least one domain of development, as well as below-average performance in at least one area of academic outcomes. Whilst these results should be interpreted cautiously due to substantial heterogeneity among the included studies, there is sufficient evidence to support existing recommendations for early screening, diagnosis, and management of maternal mental health as part of routine postpartum care. Systematic Review Registration https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42023446155 .

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