Table 2.
A summary of the qualitative analyzed findings
| Factors | Number of studies | Results | Major findings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological factors | |||
| Low birth weighta | 7 | Negative (4) Positive (3) | Three studies reported an association between low birth weight and depression in offspring, while four studies reported null association. |
| Gestational agea | 4 |
Negative (3) Positive (1) |
One study reported an association between preterm birth and depression in offspring, while three studies reported null association. |
| Small gestational agea | 1 | Positive | One study reported an association between small gestational age and depression in offspring in adolescence. |
| Baby’s length at Birth | 1 | Negative | One study reported null association between birth length and depression in offspring. |
| Teen parentsa | 4 |
Positive (3) Negative (1) |
Three studies reported an association between having teen parents and depression in offspring, while one study reported null association. |
| Parents' age >35 yearsa | 1 | Positive | One study reported an association between having elderly parents and depression in male offspring. |
| Maternal infections | 2 | Mixed | One study reported an association between maternal infections and depression in offspring, while one study reported null association. |
| Chronic diseases | 2 | Positive | Two studies reported that maternal hypertensive disorder and diabetes were associated with an elevated risk of depression in offspring, respectively. |
| Bisphenol A | 2 | Positive | Two studies reported an association between Bisphenol A and depression in offspring. |
| Fetal antiepileptic drug | 1 | Negative | One study reported null association between fetal antiepileptic drug and depression. |
| SSRI | 1 | Positive | One study reported an association between SSRI and depression in offspring. |
| Antibiotics | 1 | Positive | One study reported an association between antibiotics use and depression in offspring. |
| Organic pollutants | 1 | Negative | One study reported null association between fetal exposure to persistent organic pollutants and depression. |
| ECAT | 1 | Positive | One study reported an association between prenatal ECAT exposure and depression in offspring. |
| Marijuana exposure | 2 | Positive | Two studies reported an association between maternal marijuana exposure and depression in offspring. |
| Cocaine exposure | 1 | Negative | One study reported null association between cocaine exposure and depression. |
| Psychological factors | |||
| Maternal stressa | 2 | Mixed | One study reported an association between maternal stress and depression in offspring, while one study reported null association. |
| Maternal prenatal depressiona | 2 | Mixed | One study reported an association between maternal prenatal depression and depression in offspring, while one study reported null association. |
| Paternal postnatal depression | 1 | Negative | One study reported null association between paternal postnatal depression and depression in offspring. |
| Sociological factors | |||
| Socioeconomic statusa | 2 | Mixed | One study reported an association between low socioeconomic status and depression in offspring, while one study reported null association. |
| Maternal smokinga | 4 |
Negative (3) Positive (1) |
One study reported an association between maternal smoking and depression in offspring, while three studies reported null association. |
| Maternal drinking | 3 |
Positive (2) Negative (1) |
Two studies reported an association between maternal drinking and depression in offspring, while one study reported null association. |
| Famine | 1 | Positive | One study reported null association between famine in utero and depression in offspring. |
ECAT, Elemental carbon attributable to traffic; SSRI, Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.
a
Risk factors found to be significantly associated with offspring’s depression in the meta‐analysis.