Depression in mothers of Cerebral palsy children and it’s effect on health of Cerebral palsy children

Abstract

Background: Children with chronic medical conditions like Cerebral palsy (CP) cause depression, emotional and behavioural problems in their mothers. Though childhood environment is important in determining physical health, limited data address how maternal depression affects linear growth in children.

Objectives: To identify the prevalence of depression in mothers of Cerebral palsy children and assess the association of maternal depression on health of CP children.

Study design: Cross sectional study

Participants: Eighty mothers (80) and their Cerebral palsy children. Methods Depression in mothers was assessed using Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale (CESD) . Health in children was assessed in terms of physical/anthropometric parameters like weight for height, height for age, weight for age, Mid arm circumference and Basal metabolic index (BMI) .

Results: Fifty eight (72.5%) mothers of CP children were found to have depression. Out of 58 Cerebral palsy children of these depressed mothers 24 (41.4%) were stunted whereas only 2 (9.1%) children were stunted among 22 Cerebral palsy children in non-depressed mothers. Thus Depression was found to be associated with reduced height (Z score < -2) in their CP children (P Value 0.05) .

Conclusions: Depression in very common in mothers of Cerebral palsy children and it has a negative impact on physical health (Height for age) of Cerebral palsy children.

Implications: Depression in mothers of Cerebral palsy children is more common than in general population. This in turn has shown a negative impact on physical health (Height for age) of CP children. Hence there is a need to provide adequate attention for ensuring the maternal mental health.