University of Bristol

Academic Institute

B3897

Exposure to maternal anxiety and depression in the antenatal and/or postnatal periods has been linked to an increased risk of adverse child health and developmental outcomes. Attainment of continence is a key developmental milestone in early childhood, and there is evidence that exposure to maternal anxiety and depression increases the risk that offspring will fail to attain continence by primary school age. It is unclear, however, if (i) anxiety and depression have independent effects on offspring incontinence, and (ii) whether the relationship with offspring incontinence is due to exposure to maternal anxiety/depression during the antenatal or postnatal period.

An increased understanding of the origins of bladder/bowel problems and potentially modifiable factors in childhood could prevent these problems from becoming chronic and avert secondary impacts on quality of life.

11/10/2021