Maternal depression and child development at 3 years of age: a longitudinal study in a Brazilian child development promotion program.

BACKGROUND: We tested the hypothesis that children of non-depressed mothers perform better in a developmental test at 3 years than children of depressed mothers. METHOD: Longitudinal analysis from a trial to assess the impact of a child development promotion program in 30 Brazilian municipalities. Mothers and children were appraised at first-year post-partum, 1 and 3 years after enrollment. Child development was assessed through the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ3) and maternal depression through the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Crude and adjusted beta coefficients were obtained by linear regression before and after multiple imputation. RESULTS: In total, 2098 mother/child dyads were included and 8.2% of the mothers had persistent depressive symptoms. There was a decrease in ASQ3 as the number of follow-ups with EPDS ≥ 10 increased (p for trend <0.001). In adjusted analysis, the direction of the association persisted but lost statistical significance. After multiple imputation, children from mothers with EPDS ≥ 10 in three follow-ups presented a decrease of about 14 points in ASQ3 (adjusted beta coefficient = -13.79; -22.59 to -5.00) (p for trend = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Identification of women at increased risk of depression should be among the primary health care sector priorities in maternal and child health in Brazil. IMPACT: In our population study, almost one in every ten women presented persistent depression symptoms across the first 3 years postpartum. In adjusted analysis there was a detrimental impact of persistent maternal depression on child development at 3 years of age. The persistent exposure to maternal depression across early childhood negatively influences children's development. Considering its prevalence, identification of women at increased risk of depression should be among the primary health care sector priorities in maternal and child health in Brazil.

Course of depression during the first 2 years postpartum among Brazilian women enrolled in a conditional cash transfer program.

BACKGROUND: Women living in low- and middle-income countries are more exposed to known risk factors for depression occurrence and persistency over time. AIM: Our aim was to investigate the course of depression in the first 2 years postpartum among Brazilian women enrolled in a cash transfer program. METHOD: Longitudinal analysis of baseline (T0; mean 3.7 months postpartum) and first follow-up data (T1; mean 18.6 months postpartum) from a trial to assess the impact of a child development promotion program in 30 municipalities from six Brazilian states. The program does not include any interventions against maternal depression. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) at cutoff ⩾10 was applied. Women were categorized into four groups based on EPDS at T0 and T1: absence of depression, persistence, discontinuity, or emergence pattern. Adjusted Poisson regressions were run using a multilevel hierarchical model. RESULTS: Two thousand eight hundred sixty-three women were assessed. Prevalence of depression was 26.4% [24.8, 28.1] at T0 and 24.4% [22.8, 26.0] at T1. Persistence, discontinuation, and emergence were found in 14.1% [11.3, 17.6%], 12.8% [11.4, 14.3%], and 10.2% [8.0, 13.0], respectively. In adjusted analyses, the persistence pattern was directly associated with parity and inversely associated with schooling of the woman and of the child's father. Living with husband/partner and support from the child's father and family members during pregnancy were protective against persistence. The discontinuity and the emergence patterns were not associated with any of the exposure variables. CONCLUSIONS: Depressive symptoms were highly prevalent during the first 2 years postpartum. About half of the women with depression at T1 were persistent cases that could have been detected earlier. Screening for maternal depression should be an essential component in every encounter of women with health professionals in primary health care settings.

[Factors associated infant development in Brazilian children: baseline of the impact assessment of the Happy Child Program]. / Fatores associados ao desenvolvimento infantil em crianças brasileiras: linha de base da avaliação do impacto do Programa Criança Feliz.

The study aimed to assess socioeconomic, family, and individual factors associated with infant development (i.e., in the first year of life) among families with social vulnerability. This was a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from a randomized trial. The study included 3,242 children < 12 months of age living in 30 municipalities from five regions of Brazil. The choice of states and municipalities was intentional, based on the implementation of the Brazilian Happy Child Program. The sample was selected among eligible children for the Brazilian Happy Child Program, and the objective was the promotion of infant development. The Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) was used to assess infant development. A three-level analytical model (state, municipality, and individuals), using the Wald test for heterogeneity and linear trend, estimated the mean ASQ-3 and 95% confidence interval (95%CI). The analyses were adjusted for potential confounders. Information was analyzed for 3,061 (94.4%) children with available data for ASQ-3. Infant development scores (total and in all the domains) were some 12% lower in preterm children and those with intrauterine growth restriction (small for gestational age). Lower scores were seen in children of mothers with low schooling, depressive symptoms, two or more children under seven years of age living in the household, and who did not report self-perceived support or help during the pregnancy. In conclusion, potentially modifiable characteristics (schooling, maternal depression, and prematurity/intrauterine growth restriction) showed greater impact on reducing the infant development score in all the target domains.

O objetivo deste artigo foi avaliar os fatores socioeconômicos, familiares e individuais associados ao desenvolvimento infantil no primeiro ano de vida, entre famílias em vulnerabilidade social. Trata-se de uma análise transversal, com dados da linha de base de um ensaio randomizado. O estudo incluiu 3.242 crianças < 12 meses de idade, residentes em 30 municípios de cinco regiões do Brasil. A escolha de estados e municípios foi intencional, tendo como base a implementação do Programa Criança Feliz. A amostra foi selecionada a partir de crianças elegíveis para o Programa Criança Feliz, cujo objetivo é promover a estimulação e o desenvolvimento infantil. O Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) foi utilizado para avaliação do desenvolvimento infantil. Um modelo de análise multinível em três níveis (estado, município e indivíduos), usando teste de Wald para heterogeneidade e tendência linear, estimou a média do ASQ-3 e intervalo de 95% de confiança (IC95%). Análises foram ajustadas para potenciais confundidores. Foram analisadas informações de 3.061 (94,4%) crianças com dados disponíveis para ASQ-3. Escores de desenvolvimento infantil (total e em todos os domínios) foram cerca de 12% menores em crianças nascidas pré-termo e com restrição do crescimento intrauterino (pequenas para idade gestacional). Observou-se menores escores em filhos de mães com baixa escolaridade, com sintomas de depressão, com duas ou mais crianças menores de sete anos residindo no domicílio e que não relataram autopercepção de apoio/ajuda durante a gestação. Conclui-se que características potencialmente modificáveis (escolaridade, depressão materna e prematuridade/restrição do crescimento intrauterino) apresentaram maior impacto na redução do escore de desenvolvimento em todos os domínios avaliados.

El objetivo fue evaluar los factores socioeconómicos, familiares e individuales, asociados al desarrollo infantil en el primer año de vida, entre familias con vulnerabilidad social. Se trata de un análisis transversal, con datos de la base de referencia de un ensayo aleatorio. El estudio incluyó a 3.242 niños < 12 meses de edad, residentes en 30 municipios de cinco regiones de Brasil. La elección de estados y municipios fue intencional, considerando como base la implementación del Programa Niño Feliz. La muestra se seleccionó a partir de niños elegibles para el Programa Niño Feliz, cuyo objetivo es promover la estimulación y el desarrollo infantil. Se utilizó el Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) para la evaluación del desarrollo infantil. Un modelo de análisis multinivel en tres niveles (estado, municipio e individuos), usando el test de Wald para la heterogeneidad y tendencia lineal, estimó la media del ASQ-3 y el intervalo de 95% de confianza (IC95%). Los análisis se ajustaron para potenciales factores de confusión. Se analizó información de 3.061 (94,4%) niños con datos disponibles para ASQ-3. Las puntuaciones de desarrollo infantil (total y en todos los dominios) fueron cerca de un 12% menores en niños nacidos pretérmino y con restricción del crecimiento intrauterino (pequeños para la edad gestacional). Se observaron menores puntuaciones en hijos de madres con baja escolaridad, con síntomas de depresión, con dos o más niños menores de siete años residiendo en el domicilio y que no informaron autopercepción de apoyo/ayuda durante la gestación. Se concluye que las características potencialmente modificables (escolaridad, depresión materna y prematuridad/restricción del crecimiento intrauterino) presentaron un mayor impacto en la reducción de la puntuación de desarrollo en todos los dominios evaluados.

Fatores associados ao desenvolvimento infantil em crianças brasileiras: linha de base da avaliação do impacto do Programa Criança Feliz / Factors associated infant development in Brazilian children: baseline of the impact assessment of the Happy Child Program / Factores asociados al desarrollo infantil en niños brasileños: base de referencia para la evaluación del impacto del Programa Niño Feliz

Resumo: O objetivo deste artigo foi avaliar os fatores socioeconômicos, familiares e individuais associados ao desenvolvimento infantil no primeiro ano de vida, entre famílias em vulnerabilidade social. Trata-se de uma análise transversal, com dados da linha de base de um ensaio randomizado. O estudo incluiu 3.242 crianças < 12 meses de idade, residentes em 30 municípios de cinco regiões do Brasil. A escolha de estados e municípios foi intencional, tendo como base a implementação do Programa Criança Feliz. A amostra foi selecionada a partir de crianças elegíveis para o Programa Criança Feliz, cujo objetivo é promover a estimulação e o desenvolvimento infantil. O Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) foi utilizado para avaliação do desenvolvimento infantil. Um modelo de análise multinível em três níveis (estado, município e indivíduos), usando teste de Wald para heterogeneidade e tendência linear, estimou a média do ASQ-3 e intervalo de 95% de confiança (IC95%). Análises foram ajustadas para potenciais confundidores. Foram analisadas informações de 3.061 (94,4%) crianças com dados disponíveis para ASQ-3. Escores de desenvolvimento infantil (total e em todos os domínios) foram cerca de 12% menores em crianças nascidas pré-termo e com restrição do crescimento intrauterino (pequenas para idade gestacional). Observou-se menores escores em filhos de mães com baixa escolaridade, com sintomas de depressão, com duas ou mais crianças menores de sete anos residindo no domicílio e que não relataram autopercepção de apoio/ajuda durante a gestação. Conclui-se que características potencialmente modificáveis (escolaridade, depressão materna e prematuridade/restrição do crescimento intrauterino) apresentaram maior impacto na redução do escore de desenvolvimento em todos os domínios avaliados.

Abstract: The study aimed to assess socioeconomic, family, and individual factors associated with infant development (i.e., in the first year of life) among families with social vulnerability. This was a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from a randomized trial. The study included 3,242 children < 12 months of age living in 30 municipalities from five regions of Brazil. The choice of states and municipalities was intentional, based on the implementation of the Brazilian Happy Child Program. The sample was selected among eligible children for the Brazilian Happy Child Program, and the objective was the promotion of infant development. The Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) was used to assess infant development. A three-level analytical model (state, municipality, and individuals), using the Wald test for heterogeneity and linear trend, estimated the mean ASQ-3 and 95% confidence interval (95%CI). The analyses were adjusted for potential confounders. Information was analyzed for 3,061 (94.4%) children with available data for ASQ-3. Infant development scores (total and in all the domains) were some 12% lower in preterm children and those with intrauterine growth restriction (small for gestational age). Lower scores were seen in children of mothers with low schooling, depressive symptoms, two or more children under seven years of age living in the household, and who did not report self-perceived support or help during the pregnancy. In conclusion, potentially modifiable characteristics (schooling, maternal depression, and prematurity/intrauterine growth restriction) showed greater impact on reducing the infant development score in all the target domains.

Resumen: El objetivo fue evaluar los factores socioeconómicos, familiares e individuales, asociados al desarrollo infantil en el primer año de vida, entre familias con vulnerabilidad social. Se trata de un análisis transversal, con datos de la base de referencia de un ensayo aleatorio. El estudio incluyó a 3.242 niños < 12 meses de edad, residentes en 30 municipios de cinco regiones de Brasil. La elección de estados y municipios fue intencional, considerando como base la implementación del Programa Niño Feliz. La muestra se seleccionó a partir de niños elegibles para el Programa Niño Feliz, cuyo objetivo es promover la estimulación y el desarrollo infantil. Se utilizó el Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) para la evaluación del desarrollo infantil. Un modelo de análisis multinivel en tres niveles (estado, municipio e individuos), usando el test de Wald para la heterogeneidad y tendencia lineal, estimó la media del ASQ-3 y el intervalo de 95% de confianza (IC95%). Los análisis se ajustaron para potenciales factores de confusión. Se analizó información de 3.061 (94,4%) niños con datos disponibles para ASQ-3. Las puntuaciones de desarrollo infantil (total y en todos los dominios) fueron cerca de un 12% menores en niños nacidos pretérmino y con restricción del crecimiento intrauterino (pequeños para la edad gestacional). Se observaron menores puntuaciones en hijos de madres con baja escolaridad, con síntomas de depresión, con dos o más niños menores de siete años residiendo en el domicilio y que no informaron autopercepción de apoyo/ayuda durante la gestación. Se concluye que las características potencialmente modificables (escolaridad, depresión materna y prematuridad/restricción del crecimiento intrauterino) presentaron un mayor impacto en la reducción de la puntuación de desarrollo en todos los dominios evaluados.

Vaccination coverage in children up to 2 years old, receiving financial support from the Family Income Transfer Program, Brazil. / Cobertura vacinal em crianças de até 2 anos de idade beneficiárias do Programa Bolsa Família, Brasil.

OBJECTIVE: To assess vaccination coverage, based on the National Immunization Program schedule, among children receiving financial support from the Family Income Transfer Program, Brazil, according to the family socioeconomic status and maternal characteristics. METHODS: 3,242 children under 12 months old were assessed between August/2018 and April/2019, of whom 3,008 were reassessed between September/2019 and January/2020. The analyses were performed using multilevel models (level 3, Federative Unit; level 2, municipality; level 1, children). RESULTS: Vaccination coverage was 2.5 fold higher in the first follow-up (61.0% - 95% CI 59.3;62.6%), compared to the second follow-up (24.8% - 95% CI 22.8;25.9%) (p<0.001). In the first follow-up, coverage was higher in the richest quintile (67.9%) and in children whose mothers had ≥9 years of schooling (63.3%). In the second follow-up, there were no differences. The highest coverage occurred between 0.5-2.5 (93.5%) and 12.5-15.5 months (34.4%), respectively, first and second follow-ups. CONCLUSION: Low coverage was found, both in the first and second year of life.

Post-partum depression: a cross-sectional study of women enrolled in a conditional cash transfer program in 30 Brazilian cities.

OBJECTIVE: Investigate factors associated with symptoms of postpartum depression in mothers from families in social vulnerability. METHODS: Information was used from the baseline of a randomized trial to assess a child development program that enrolled 3,242 children < 12 months of age from beneficiary families of the Bolsa Família Program residing in 30 municipalities (counties) in six states of Brazil. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was applied to the mothers, and depression was defined as score ≥10. Information on the mother (schooling, age, parity, marital status, skin color, smoking, number of prenatal appointments, and planning of the pregnancy), family (paternal schooling, household crowding, support from the child's father and the family during the pregnancy, and number of children under 7 years living in the household), and infant (sex, gestational age, birthweight, Apgar score, and child's age at the time of the interview) was collected. Prevalence rates for depressive symptoms were calculated with crude and adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI), using hierarchical logistic regression, in a multilevel model. RESULTS: The analysis included 3,174 mothers with information on EPDS. The interviews were conducted on average 7.9 months (standard deviation= 2.9) after childbirth. Overall prevalence of depressive symptoms was 26.5% (25.0-28.1%). In the adjusted analysis, higher parity was associated with higher odds of postpartum depression (p <0.001). Women with ≥3 previous deliveries showed an odds 84% higher of presenting depressive symptoms (OR= 1.84; 1.43-2.35) than primiparae. Higher maternal and paternal schooling, presence of husband or partner, and having received support from the child's father and the family during the pregnancy were protective factors against postpartum depression. CONCLUSION: The study showed high prevalence of postpartum depressive symptoms. Promotion of parental education, alongside with the promotion of support to the woman during pregnancy by the child's father and by the family, as well as family planning leading to birth spacing are measures that may help to prevent postpartum depressive symptoms.

Cobertura vacinal em crianças de até 2 anos de idade beneficiárias do Programa Bolsa Família, Brasil / Cobertura de vacunación de niños hasta 2 años, beneficiarios del Programa Bolsa Familia, Brasil / Vaccination coverage in children up to 2 years old, receiving financial support from the Family Income Transfer Program, Brazil

Objetivo: Avaliar a cobertura vacinal, conforme o calendário do Programa Nacional de Imunizações, entre crianças beneficiárias do Programa Bolsa Família, Brasil, segundo nível socioeconômico da família e características maternas. Métodos: Foram avaliadas 3.242 crianças menores de 12 meses de vida entre agosto de 2018 e abril de 2019, sendo 3.008 delas reavaliadas entre setembro de 2019 e janeiro de 2020. As análises foram realizadas utilizando-se modelos multiníveis (nível 3, Unidade da Federação; nível 2, município; nível 1, crianças). Resultados: A cobertura vacinal foi 2,5 vezes maior no primeiro (61,0% - IC95% 59,3;62,6%), comparado ao segundo acompanhamento (24,8% - IC95% 22,8;25,9%) (p<0,001). No primeiro acompanhamento, a cobertura foi maior no quintil mais rico (67,9%) e entre as crianças cujas mães tinham ≥9 anos de escolaridade (63,3%). No segundo acompanhamento, não houve diferenças. As maiores coberturas ocorreram entre 0,5-2,5 (93,5%) e 12,5-15,5 meses (34,4%), respectivamente primeiro e segundo acompanhamentos. Conclusão: Encontrou-se baixa cobertura, tanto no primeiro quanto no segundo ano de vida.

Objetivo: Evaluar la cobertura de vacunación según el Programa Nacional de Inmunizaciones, entre los niños beneficiarios del Programa Bolsa Familia, Brasil, según el nivel socioeconómico familiar y características maternas. Métodos: Analizamos 3.242 niños menores de 12 meses entre agosto/2018 y abril/2019 y se reevaluaron 3.008 entre septiembre/2019 y enero/2020. Se utilizaron modelos multinivel (nivel 3, estado; nivel 2, municipio; nivel 1, niños). Resultados: La cobertura fue 2,5 veces mayor en el primer seguimiento (61,0% - IC95% 59,3;62,6%) que en el segundo (24,8% - IC95% 22,8;25,9%) (p<0,001). En el primer seguimiento, la cobertura fue mayor en el quintil más rico (67,9%) y entre aquellos cuyas madres tenían ≥9 años de escolaridad (63,3%). En el segundo seguimiento no hubo diferencias. La mayor cobertura ocurrió entre los 0,5-2,5 (93,5%) y 12,5-15,5 meses (34,4%), respectivamente, en el primero y el segundo seguimiento. Conclusión: Se encontró baja cobertura en el primero y en el segundo año de vida.

Objective: To assess vaccination coverage, based on the National Immunization Program schedule, among children receiving financial support from the Family Income Transfer Program, Brazil, according to the family socioeconomic status and maternal characteristics. Methods: 3,242 children under 12 months old were assessed between August/2018 and April/2019, of whom 3,008 were reassessed between September/2019 and January/2020. The analyses were performed using multilevel models (level 3, Federative Unit; level 2, municipality; level 1, children). Results: Vaccination coverage was 2.5 fold higher in the first follow-up (61.0% - 95% CI 59.3;62.6%), compared to the second follow-up (24,8% - IC95% 22,8;25,9%) (p<0,001). In the first follow-up, coverage was higher in the richest quintile (67.9%) and in children whose mothers had ≥9 years of schooling (63.3%). In the second follow-up, there were no differences. The highest coverage occurred between 0.5-2.5 (93.5%) and 12.5-15.5 months (34.4%), respectively, first and second follow-ups. Conclusion: Low coverage was found, both in the first and second year of life.