Mothers' depression linked with underweight babies
Says study
There is a strong association between perinatal depression of mothers and underweight babies, according to a study conducted in Bangladesh by Brac in collaboration with Karolinska Institute, Sweden.
The finding was revealed at a national conference titled “Peri-natal Mental Health: Breaking the Vicious Cycle” organised by Brac at its auditorium in the capital yesterday, said a press release.
Dr Sadia Afroze Chowdhury, public health specialist of the World Bank, chaired the conference also attended by Akhtari Mamtaz, additional secretary of Ministry of Health, as a special guest.
Mamtaz said the government was working on improving maternal and child health in the country.
With the help of NGOs, international organisations and other stakeholders, the maternal depression situation in Bangladesh should be improved for the interest of a better nation, added Mamtaz.
Dr Sadia said, “We have learned the reasons and the long lasting impact of maternal depression throughout the presentations, and now it's time to take policy initiatives to improve the overall situation”.
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