Özet:

Purpose: The negative effects of postpartum depression on breastfeeding and child development are known. However, in developing countries there are very few studies on this issue. The aim of this study is to determine the factors accompanied by postpartum depression in a developing country and the effects of depression on the nutrition and nutrition status, the neuromotor development of children. In the Child Health Surveillance Clinic of a Faculty of Medicine, a couple of 100 mother-milk children regularly monitored, starting from the fourth week, was evaluated. A semi-configured survey form on the pregnancy period and the sociodemographic characteristics of the family was used. To separate mothers with postpartum depression, the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale was applied three times over a six-month period. In the 15th month, the Denver Developmental Screening Test (DGTT) was conducted to assess the neurological development of children. In the first six months after birth, 19 percent of mothers found depression. Mothers with depression were younger and unplanned pregnancies were more common in these mothers. Again, in this group, the percentage of children with normal DGTT results was less; the time of developmental stages was also delayed. Result: These differences were not statistically meaningful. The rates of breastfeeding were similar in groups with depression and not found. In our research, mothers have received regular and qualified support in the maturity and child care issues. Studies on the frequency and effects of postpartum depression should be conducted in different health institutions.

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