The impact of perinatal maternal depression on stress regulation and joint attention of infants aged 24 to 36 months

Maternal depression influences child development. Studies show that babies born to mothers suffering from depression are at greater risk of being born prematurely, having attention problems, and sleeping problems. During the Covid-19 period, more pregnant women experienced depressive symptoms compared to similar cohorts of pregnant women before the pandemic. Maternal depression has negative effects on a child's socio-cognitive development that can persist throughout life. In infancy, joint attention is an important construct of socio-cognitive development. Joint attention is the baby's ability to direct their gaze toward an object observed by another person to indicate their shared interest. In terms of brain activity, this joint gaze is associated with a decrease in activity in the low frequencies (alpha and mu rhythms). Maternal depression influences children's neuroendocrine development as well as their stress regulation. Studies show that children of mothers with symptoms of depression had higher cortisol levels than a control group. Our general hypothesis is that prenatal maternal depression will have consequences on the child's joint attention, which will be accompanied by a disruption of alpha and mu brain rhythms. We hypothesize that this link is influenced by the baby's stress reactivity (cortisol levels). One hundred and fifty children aged 24 to 36 months whose mothers were pregnant during Covid-19 will take part in the study. This study will provide a better understanding of the long-term impact of maternal prenatal mental health on the socio-cognitive, endocrine, and brain development of young children. It will then be possible to implement more effective prevention and intervention programs and intervene earlier to prevent or mitigate future problems.