Postnatal Depression and Faltering Growth: A Community Study

Depression in mothers of children with faltering growth during the first 2 years of life is significantly greater than in mothers of children who are gaining weight appropriately. In view of the high rates of maternal depression in children with poor weight gain, clinical management at presentation of either problem should focus on both members of the mother-child dyad and on the interaction between mother and child. These findings have implications for all professionals who work in primary and secondary health care.