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Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Archives of Women's Mental Health

Associations between neurodevelopmental traits and perinatal depression: a prospective study in Japanese women

  • Kyoko Hasegawa1,2,3
  • Daimei Sasayama3,4,5
  • Hideo Honda3,4
  • Norihiko Kikuchi6,7
  • Takaaki Hondo8
  • Kenji Itakura9
  • Tomoko Watanabe10
  • Shinsuke Washizuka5
10 affiliations
  1. 1Department of Pediatrics, Minami-Nagano Medical Center, Shinonoi General Hospital, Nagano, Japan
  2. 2Graduate School of Medicine, Science and Technology, Shinshu University, Matsumoto, Japan
  3. 3Mental Health Clinic for Children, Shinshu University Hospital, Matsumoto, Japan
  4. 4Department of Child and Adolescent Developmental Psychiatry, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
  5. 5Department of Psychiatry, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
  6. 6Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
  7. 7Present Address: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagano Red Cross Hospital, Nagano, Japan
  8. 8Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Minami-Nagano Medical Center, Shinonoi General Hospital, Nagano, Japan
  9. 9Itakura Ladies Clinic, Nagano, Japan
  10. 10Maruyama Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Nagano, Japan
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Abstract

Purpose: This study examined how attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) traits relate to depressive symptoms from late pregnancy through early postpartum in Japanese women, alongside perinatal factors.

Methods: In a multicenter prospective study, 1,104 women completed questionnaires at late pregnancy (T1), 2 weeks postpartum (T2), and 1 month postpartum (T3). Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), ADHD traits with the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS), and ASD traits with the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ). Chi-square tests evaluated timepoint-specific associations, multivariable logistic regression identified independent predictors of EPDS positivity at T2, and a linear mixed-effects model assessed longitudinal changes.

Results: EPDS scores and EPDS positivity were highest at T1 and declined postpartum (16.7%, 8.6%, 4.0%). Scores were correlated across timepoints. In univariate analyses, antenatal EPDS positivity showed associations with ASD traits (AQ+: OR = 6.08, 95% CI 2.17–16.99) and ADHD traits (ASRS+: OR = 4.86, 95% CI 3.06–7.72). In multivariable analysis, independent predictors of EPDS positivity at T2 included ADHD traits (OR = 1.37, 95% CI 1.13–1.66), primiparity, psychiatric treatment history, and antenatal EPDS scores. ASD traits were not associated with T2 EPDS positivity after adjustment for antenatal EPDS scores. In the mixed-effects model, both ADHD and ASD traits were associated with higher EPDS scores during pregnancy, with attenuated effects postpartum.

Conclusion: Neurodevelopmental traits are associated with perinatal mental health, and trait- and timing-informed support may enhance maternal psychological stability and caregiving outcomes.

Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-026-01781-4.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{hasegawa2026associations,
  title = {{Associations between neurodevelopmental traits and perinatal depression: a prospective study in Japanese women}},
  author = {Kyoko Hasegawa and Daimei Sasayama and Hideo Honda and Norihiko Kikuchi and Takaaki Hondo and Kenji Itakura and Tomoko Watanabe and Shinsuke Washizuka},
  journal = {Archives of Women's Mental Health},
  year = {2026},
  month = nov,
  doi = {10.1007/s00737-026-01781-4},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-026-01781-4},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Associations between neurodevelopmental traits and perinatal depression: a prospective study in Japanese women
AU  - Kyoko Hasegawa
AU  - Daimei Sasayama
AU  - Hideo Honda
AU  - Norihiko Kikuchi
AU  - Takaaki Hondo
AU  - Kenji Itakura
AU  - Tomoko Watanabe
AU  - Shinsuke Washizuka
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/11/04
JO  - Archives of Women's Mental Health
DO  - 10.1007/s00737-026-01781-4
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-026-01781-4
AB  - Purpose: This study examined how attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) traits relate to depressive symptoms from late pregnancy through early postpartum in Japanese women, alongside perinatal factors.  Methods: In a multicenter prospective study, 1,104 women completed questionnaires at late pregnancy (T1), 2 weeks postpartum (T2), and 1 month postpartum (T3). Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), ADHD traits with the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS), and ASD traits with the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ). Chi-square tests evaluated timepoint-specific associations, multivariable logistic regression identified independent predictors of EPDS positivity at T2, and a linear mixed-effects model assessed longitudinal changes.  Results: EPDS scores and EPDS positivity were highest at T1 and declined postpartum (16.7%, 8.6%, 4.0%). Scores were correlated across timepoints. In univariate analyses, antenatal EPDS positivity showed associations with ASD traits (AQ+: OR = 6.08, 95% CI 2.17–16.99) and ADHD traits (ASRS+: OR = 4.86, 95% CI 3.06–7.72). In multivariable analysis, independent predictors of EPDS positivity at T2 included ADHD traits (OR = 1.37, 95% CI 1.13–1.66), primiparity, psychiatric treatment history, and antenatal EPDS scores. ASD traits were not associated with T2 EPDS positivity after adjustment for antenatal EPDS scores. In the mixed-effects model, both ADHD and ASD traits were associated with higher EPDS scores during pregnancy, with attenuated effects postpartum.  Conclusion: Neurodevelopmental traits are associated with perinatal mental health, and trait- and timing-informed support may enhance maternal psychological stability and caregiving outcomes.  Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-026-01781-4.
SN  - 1434-1816
SN  - 1435-1102
ER  -