Neural and Psychophysiological Correlates of Cognitive, Social, and Emotional Development of Infants and Children of Mothers With Peripartum Depression: A Systematic Review

If left untreated, peripartum depression (PPD) can significantly disrupt mother-infant interactions and is associated with long-term negative consequences for child development. The aim of this article was to systematically review studies examining the underlying neural and physiological markers associated with socioemotional and cognitive development in infants and children exposed to maternal PPD. A literature search was conducted in PubMed, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, and Cochrane databases, covering studies from their inception until July 2024. Six studies were included in this review. Two studies assessed PPD symptoms during pregnancy, two during the postpartum period, and two during both pregnancy and the postpartum period. The findings suggest that the developmental outcomes of the offspring of depressed mothers during the perinatal period may be underpinned by specific correlates of brain activity and psychophysiological functioning-specifically, greater right frontal EEG asymmetry, heightened activation of the amygdala and other paralimbic structures, lower vagal tone, and increased N2 latencies. This review highlights the need for further research in this area.