The Role of Maternal Depression Symptoms in Psychological Functioning of Infants with Congenital Heart Disease Subjected to Heart Surgery

This article investigates the psychological and emotional functioning of infants with congenital heart disease (CHD) subjected to heart surgery and their caregivers (mothers). We analyze the role of a mother's depression and anxiety levels in the infant's psychological and emotional functioning and development. Infants aged 2-12 months with CHD undergoing cardiac surgery and their mothers were enrolled.We have revealed a general emotional ill-being of the mothers examined. We have found a delay in psychosocial and physical development of infants with CHD subjected to heart surgery. The higher level of the mothers' depression significantly correlated with a bigger delay in the psychological development of the infants with CHD subjected to heart surgery.