Mothers who kill their children: A systematic review of perinatal risk factors

Journal title MALTRATTAMENTO E ABUSO ALL’INFANZIA
Author/s Marta Landoni, Sergio A. Silverio, Chiara Ionio, Giulia Ciuffo, Carolina Toscano, Ilaria Lega, Estel Gelabert, Goce Kalcev, Alba Roca-Lecumberri, Anna Plaza Estrade, Valeria Brenna, Lluïsa Garcia- Esteve, Susana Subirà Alvarez, Anna Torres Giménez, Alessandra Bramante
Publishing Year 2022 Issue 2022/2 Language English
Pages 29 P. 33-61 File size 315 KB
DOI 10.3280/MAL2022-002004
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This review examines the association between the perinatal period and thoughts and behaviours of neonaticide, infanticide, and filicide, highlighting mothers’ risk factors. A literature search was conducted on PubMed, PsycINFO, and ScienceDirect, with 2,957 articles screened and 13 determined as eligible for inclusion. Inclusion criteria were: 1) studies on neonaticide, infanticide and filicide; 2) studies conducted on women; 3) studies with perinatal population; 4) original, peer-reviewed studies; 5) studies written in English or Italian language. Single-case reports and qualitative studies were excluded, as were those studies written in any other language, and any studies for which the full-text version could not be obtained (i.e. conference abstracts). Two reviewers independently reviewed titles and abstracts, reviewed relevant articles' full text, and extracted the data. Several individuals and socio-environmental risk factors were identified for neonaticide, infanticide, and filicide during the perinatal period, highlighting the importance of paying particular attention to the mother’s well-being in this critical phase. Women who committed neonaticide, infanticide, or filicide faced a variety of challenges in their lives. Such life events might prompt mental health professionals to address the possibility of harmful acts in their patients.

Keywords: infanticide, filicide, neonaticide, systematic review, risk factors, protective factors, women

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  • A systematic review of clinical psychological guidance for perinatal mental health Jayne O’Brien, Lynsey Gregg, Anja Wittkowski, in BMC Psychiatry 790/2023
    DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-05173-1

Marta Landoni, Sergio A. Silverio, Chiara Ionio, Giulia Ciuffo, Carolina Toscano, Ilaria Lega, Estel Gelabert, Goce Kalcev, Alba Roca-Lecumberri, Anna Plaza Estrade, Valeria Brenna, Lluïsa Garcia- Esteve, Susana Subirà Alvarez, Anna Torres Giménez, Alessandra Bramante, Mothers who kill their children: A systematic review of perinatal risk factors in "MALTRATTAMENTO E ABUSO ALL’INFANZIA" 2/2022, pp 33-61, DOI: 10.3280/MAL2022-002004