The Influence of Perinatal Psychological Changes on Infant Neurodevelopment in Shanghai, China: A Longitudinal Group-based Trajectory Analysis

This prospective cohort study, conducted at the Fenglin Community Health Service Center (FCHC) in Xuhui District, Shanghai, aimed to investigate the impact of maternal psychological status on offspring neurodevelopment. A total of 430 mother-child pairs were included, with pregnant women enrolled between February 18, 2020, and April 19, 2021. Face-to-face interviews and electronic data collection on demographic characteristics, health conditions and medical history were employed at various stages of pregnancy and postpartum. Maternal depression and anxiety were assessed using the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scales, while offspring neurodevelopment was measured at six months using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire 3rd Edition (ASQ-3). In statistical analyses, group-based trajectory modeling (GBTM) was employed to identify the latent groups for maternal psychological trajectories, including depression and anxiety, and logistic regression was used to explore associations between maternal psychological trajectories and offspring neurodevelopment, adjusting for potential confounders. Five latent trajectory groups were identified for both depression and anxiety, exhibiting distinct patterns over time. Results indicated that maternal psychological trajectories were associated with various domains of offspring neurodevelopment, including communication, problem-solving, personal-social, and gross motor skills. Specifically, mothers in trajectory groups characterized by the highest level of depression or anxiety showed increased odds of offspring neurodevelopmental delays compared to reference groups. Our findings underscore the importance of maternal mental health during the perinatal period and highlight the potential implications for offspring neurodevelopment. Further research is warranted to elucidate underlying mechanisms and inform targeted interventions to support maternal mental well-being and optimize offspring outcomes.