Long-term outcome of offspring after maternal severe puerperal disorder

• Published in: Acta psychiatrica Scandinavica Vol. 110; no. 5; pp. 365 - 373
• Main Authors: Abbott, R., Dunn, V. J., Robling, S. A., Paykel, E. S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Munksgaard International Publishers 01.11.2004; Blackwell; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Adult and adolescent clinical studies; adult offspring; Adults; Biological and medical sciences; Child; Conduct Disorder - etiology; Conduct Disorder - psychology; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Hospitalization; Humans; Medical diagnosis; Medical sciences; Mental disorders; Mental Health; Miscellaneous; Mother-Child Relations; Mothers; Neurotic Disorders - etiology; Neurotic Disorders - psychology; psychiatric diagnosis; Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Psychotic Disorders - psychology; puerperal disorders; Puerperal Disorders - psychology; Risk Factors; Siblings; Human; Neurosis; Progeny; Puerperal disorders; Follow up study; Conduct disorder; Mental disorder; Maternal diseases; Social behavior disorder
• ISSN: 0001-690X; 1600-0447
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0447.2004.00406.x

Objective:  To study adult mental health in offspring of mothers who experienced severe puerperal disorder. Method:  Mothers, followed up a mean of 23 years after puerperal disorder requiring hospitalization, were interviewed regarding adult psychiatric illness, childhood neurotic symptoms and conduct problems of 48 offspring of the index episode and 62 additional siblings. Results:  In these predominantly young adults the lifetime rate of ICD‐10 adult psychiatric illness was 26%, and was higher in offspring of puerperal episodes (35% vs. 15%, P = 0.07). There were also high rates of childhood symptoms and problems. Conclusion:  There are high lifetime rates of adult psychiatric illness in young adult offspring of mothers with puerperal disorder, which are likely to increase further with time, and warrant special attention.