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
Year: 2026
Type: review
Abstract: Background: Prenatal maternal depression affects an estimated one in five women, with implications not only for the mother but also for the child, associating negatively with offspring mental health and cognition. This study aimed to investigate multiple outcomes within the same set of participants from multiple cohorts, explore sex-specific differences in associations, and examine of the role of timing of maternal depression. Methods: We performed large-scale individual participant data analyses with a sample size of up to 76,514 participants to investigate prospective associations between prenatal maternal depression and eight offspring behavioural and developmental outcomes, leveraging harmonised data from seven European birth cohorts. Cohort-specific estimates were combined using random-effects meta-analysis. Potential sex differences and the role of pre-pregnancy and postnatal depression in the associations were examined. Findings: Prenatal maternal depression was associated with higher internalising, externalising, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and autism spectrum disorder symptoms (6.61-10.90 increased percentile scores). Associations were similar between males and females, largely independent of pre-pregnancy depression, and partially mediated by postnatal maternal depression. Continuous prenatal depressive symptoms were associated with all eight offspring outcomes. Interpretation: These findings emphasise the importance of prenatal maternal depression as a key developmental risk factor. Future work should consider how best to support mental health during pregnancy and children exposed to prenatal depression. Our results contribute to the growing evidence underscoring the need for early intervention and tailored support for those experiencing depression during pregnancy. Funding: HappyMums Project, funded by the European Union (Grant Agreement n.101057390).
Authors: Adriana P.C. Hermans, Demetris Avraam, Isabel K. Schuurmans, Ana G. Soares, Marius Lahti-Pulkkinen, Polina Girchenko, Tanja G.M. Vrijkotte, Susanne R. de Rooij, Ahmed Elhakeem, Judith van der Waerden, Barbara Heude, Chloé Vainqueur, Tiffany C. Yang, Rachael W. Cheung, Dan Lewer, Katrine Strandberg-Larsen, Tim Cadman, Maja Popovic, Francesca Candelora, Jari Lahti, Katri Räikkönen, Charlotte A.M. Cecil, Hanan El Marroun
Institutions: Erasmus MC, Erasmus MC - Sophia Children’s Hospital, University of Copenhagen, University of Bristol, MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Helsinki, University of Edinburgh, Oulu University Hospital, University of Oulu, Amsterdam Public Health, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam Reproduction Development, University of Amsterdam, Inserm, Sorbonne Université, Institut Pierre Louis d‘Épidémiologie et de Santé Publique, Université Paris Cité, Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement, Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, Centre de Recherche Épidémiologie et Statistique, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Bradford Institute for Health Research, Piedmont Reference Center for Epidemiology and Cancer Prevention, University of Turin, Folkhälsans Forskningscentrum, Helsinki University Hospital, Erasmus University Rotterdam
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $4,930
Funders: Institut National de Prévention et d'Éducation pour la Santé, Wellcome Trust, UK Research and Innovation, Stichting Volksbond Rotterdam, National Institute for Health and Care Research, British Heart Foundation, European Commission, Agence Nationale de la Recherche, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, ZonMw, Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam, Academy of Finland, Fondation pour la Recherche Médicale, Hartstichting, Ministerie van Volksgezondheid, Welzijn en Sport, Erasmus Medisch Centrum, Suomen Kulttuurirahasto, Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, Université Paris-Saclay, Mutuelle Générale de l'Education Nationale, Agence Française de Développement, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, Helsingin Yliopisto, HORIZON EUROPE Framework Programme, Medical Research Council, European Research Council, Strategic Research Council, H2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, European Health and Digital Executive Agency
OpenAlex ID: W7126018145