Young people may be more likely to have depression at the age of 18 if their mothers were depressed when pregnant with them, a new study suggests.

According to scientists at the University of Bristol in the UK, depression in the late teens is a public health issue around the world. However, by identifying early-life risk factors, attempts to prevent or intervene when depression does occur can be improved.

The scientists decided to look at any potential links between prenatal and postnatal depression in women and depression in their children later in life. They analysed data relating to over 4,500 parents and their teenage children.

The study found that the children were more likely to have depression at the age of 18 if their mothers were depressed during pregnancy.

If their mothers had postnatal depression (after pregnancy), this also appeared to be a risk factor for the teenagers, although this tended to be related to women with low education levels.

"The findings have important implications for the nature and timing of interventions aimed at preventing depression in the offspring of depressed mothers. In particular, the findings suggest that treating depression in pregnancy, irrespective of background, may be most effective," the scientists concluded.

Details of these findings are published in the journal, JAMA Psychiatry.

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