The association between maternal postnatal depressive symptoms and offspring sleep problems in adolescence

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from the publisher via the DOI in this record.BACKGROUND: Sleep problems are associated with increased risk of physical and mental illness. Identifying risk factors is an important method of reducing public health impact. We examined the association between maternal postnatal depression (PND) and offspring adolescent sleep problems. METHOD: The sample was derived from Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) participants. A sample with complete data across all variables was used, with four outcome variables. A sensitivity analysis imputing for missing data was conducted (n = 9633). RESULTS: PND was associated with increased risk of sleep problems in offspring at ages 16 and 18 years. The most robust effects were sleep problems at 18 years [adjusted odds ratio (OR) for a 1 s.d. increase in PND, 1.26, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.15-1.39, p < 0.001] and waking more often (adjusted OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.05-1.25, p = 0.003). This remained after controlling for confounding variables including antenatal depression and early sleep problems in infancy. CONCLUSIONS: PND is associated with adolescent offspring sleep problems. Maternal interventions should consider the child's increased risk. Early sleep screening and interventions could be introduced within this group.We are extremely grateful to all the families who took part in this study, the midwives for their help in recruiting them, and the whole ALSPAC team, which includes interviewers, computer and laboratory technicians, clerical workers, research scientists, volunteers, managers, receptionists and nurses. The UK Medical Research Council and the Wellcome Trust (grant reference 102215/2/13/2) and the University of Bristol provide core support for ALSPAC. The current project was supported by an Elizabeth Blackwell Institute for Health Research Institutional Wellcome Strategic Award supporting an early career fellowship held by R.M.P.