We have seen many infants crying out of itching sensation all through the body and the only thing parents can do is to apply a medicated cream and avoid using soaps or other irritants. Research shows this itching, also known as Atopic Dermatitis (AD), is associated with maternal depression in the postpartum period. Jonathan Silverberg, MD, PhD, MPH, associate professor of dermatology at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences discovered that among children with AD, maternal depression was linked to increased sleep disturbance, more persistent AD, and a higher likelihood of AD developing later in childhood.
Researchers carried out the data collection, processing, and interpretation of information from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study.
“We know that emotional factors can exacerbate AD flares and influence the course of the disease,” said Silverberg, the senior author of the study. “Our results further suggest that postpartum depression is associated with AD even in older children and adolescents, with more persistent disease and greater sleep disturbance. This could potentially suggest more severe AD,” he added.
The authors advise:
- Paediatricians to encourage assessing and diagnosing and early intervention for postpartum depression to distinguish infants at higher risk for AD
- Babies born to mothers with postpartum depression may be screened frequently to assess atopic dermatitis and use gentle skin care techniques
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