What is known on the subject?• The phenomenon of child killing (neonaticide, infanticide or filicide) is a rare event that cannot be fully explained by a single construct as each case involves the unique life circumstances of each woman who committed the act(s).
What the paper adds to existing knowledge?• The majority of women who committed neonaticide, infanticide or filicide regretted the act and regretted not seeking help from family and healthcare professionals.• Women who committed neonaticide, infanticide or filicide in the main had complex circumstances characterised by poverty, abusive relationships, poor family and social support or over reliance on family supports and mental health issues.
What are the implications for practice?• Women require a clear plan of what to do if they feel overwhelmed with caring for a baby or child.• Healthcare professionals involved with women in the perinatal period need to explore further women's expressions of "not being ready to be a mother" which for some women may be pathological and require further assessment.• Women need to be made aware of the support service pathways available to them during the perinatal period and beyond.• Further research is needed to explore and learn from women's experiences to reduce child homicide mortality and support women and their families.
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