Maternal Depression: A Hidden Burden in Developing Countries

Maternal depress on s an all-encompass ng term for a spectrum of depress ve cond t ons that can affect mothers (up to 12 months postpartum) and mothers-to-be. These depress ve cond t ons nclude prenatal depress on, postpartum depress on, and postpartum psychos s. Maternal depress on s ncreas ngly recogn zed as a worldw de publ c health ssue and can have a negat ve mpact on an nd v dual's l fe that s far reach ng, affect ng work, fam ly and the health and development of the baby.[1] Approx mately, 10-20% of women exper ence depress on e ther dur ng pregnancy or n the f rst 12 months postpartum. Maternal depress on can lead to ser ous health r sks for both the mother and nfant, ncreas ng the r sk for costly compl cat ons dur ng b rth and caus ng long-last ng or even permanent effects on ch ld development and well-be ng. Lowand m ddlencome countr es (LAMICs) are home to more than 80% of the global populat on, but command <20% of the share of the mental health resources.[2] Worldw de depress on affects 121 m ll on people. At ts most, severe depress on can lead to su c de and s respons ble for 850,000 deaths every year, and by 2020, depress on w ll be the second lead ng cause of d sab l ty (World Health Organ zat on [WHO], 2001) and by 2030; t s expected to be the largest contr butor to d sease burden. Depress on s part cularly common among women. Although, depress on s the lead ng cause for both males and females, the burden of depress on s 50% h gher for females than males.[3]