@article {Patel34, author = {V Patel and N DeSouza and M Rodrigues}, title = {Postnatal depression and infant growth and development in low income countries: a cohort study from Goa, India}, volume = {88}, number = {1}, pages = {34--37}, year = {2003}, doi = {10.1136/adc.88.1.34}, publisher = {BMJ Publishing Group Ltd}, abstract = {Background: Postnatal depression is a recognised cause of delayed cognitive development in infants in developed countries. Being underweight is common in South Asia.Aims: To determine whether postnatal depression contributes to poor growth and development outcomes in Goa, India.Methods: Cohort study for growth outcomes with nested case-control study for developmental outcomes. A total of 171 babies were weighed and measured at 6{\textendash}8 weeks following birth. The following measures were used: Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale for maternal mood, and sociodemographic and infant health variables. Outcome measures were: weight (\<5th centile), length (\<5th centile), and Developmental Assessment Scale for Indian Infants scores at six months.Results: Postnatal depression was a strong, and independent, predictor of low weight and length and was significantly associated with adverse mental development quotient scores.Conclusions: This study provides evidence for the first time that postnatal depression, a potentially treatable disorder, is a cause of poor growth and development in South Asia.}, issn = {0003-9888}, URL = {https://adc.bmj.com/content/88/1/34}, eprint = {https://adc.bmj.com/content/88/1/34.full.pdf}, journal = {Archives of Disease in Childhood} }