Abstract
Aim: To identify the relationship between maternal depression, the health and well being of children with asthma, and the role of the pediatric nurse.
Method: Review of the medical and nursing literature.
Results: Adult depression is a leading cause of disease burden throughout the world. In the United States undiagnosed and untreated maternal depression has been found to not only have significant psychological and social implications for the family system, but children of depressed mothers are at risk for serious developmental, behavioral, and emotional problems as well as non-adherence with medical management plans, increased morbidity from chronic conditions such as asthma, poor health care utilization, greater rates of emergency department and sick visits, greater use of inpatient and specialty services, and lower rates of well-child care visits and pediatric preventive practices such as basic safety.
Conclusion: The significance of depression on child and adolescent health mandates that pediatric providers learn more about the incidence, prevalence, associated risk factors, symptomotology and screening tools for maternal depression. If pediatric nurses were more knowledgeable regarding the symptoms of depression they could detect this clinical problem and educate mothers regarding the significance of their mental health on asthma management in children and refer mothers for mental health services.
This presentation will review current literature regarding maternal depression, its incidence, prevalence, associated correlates, and its implications for child health and asthma management. Suggestions for screening mothers for depression and alterations in health care management plans for their children will be given.
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Allen, P. 356 Maternal Depression: Implication for Asthma Management in Children. Pediatr Res 68 (Suppl 1), 184 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-201011001-00356
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-201011001-00356