The widespread absence
of attention to the mother - child relationship in the treatment
of depression in women with young children is another striking
example of the gap between science and
practice that could be reduced by targeted pediatric advocacy.97 Extensive research has demonstrated the extent to which maternal depression compromises the contingent reciprocity between a mother and her young child that is essential for healthy cognitive, linguistic, social, and emotional development.98 Despite that
well - documented observation, the treatment
of depression in women with young children is typically viewed as an adult mental health service and rarely includes an
explicit focus on the mother - child relationship.