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Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology Jan 2019This review aims to summarize the diverse proposed pathophysiological mechanisms contributing to postpartum depression, highlighting both clinical and basic science... (Review)
Review
This review aims to summarize the diverse proposed pathophysiological mechanisms contributing to postpartum depression, highlighting both clinical and basic science research findings. The risk factors for developing postpartum depression are discussed, which may provide insight into potential neurobiological underpinnings. The evidence supporting a role for neuroendocrine changes, neuroinflammation, neurotransmitter alterations, circuit dysfunction, and the involvement of genetics and epigenetics in the pathophysiology of postpartum depression are discussed. This review integrates clinical and preclinical findings and highlights the diversity in the patient population, in which numerous pathophysiological changes may contribute to this disorder. Finally, we attempt to integrate these findings to understand how diverse neurobiological changes may contribute to a common pathological phenotype. This review is meant to serve as a comprehensive resource reviewing the proposed pathophysiological mechanisms underlying postpartum depression.
Topics: Animals; Depression, Postpartum; Epigenesis, Genetic; Female; Humans; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System; Inflammation; Pituitary-Adrenal System
PubMed: 30552910
DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2018.12.001 -
Current Psychiatry Reports Dec 2022As maternal mortality climbs in the USA with mental health conditions driving these preventable deaths, the field of reproductive psychiatry must shift towards... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
As maternal mortality climbs in the USA with mental health conditions driving these preventable deaths, the field of reproductive psychiatry must shift towards identification of women and other birthing individuals at risk and facilitating access. This review brings together recent studies regarding risk of perinatal depression and highlights important comorbidities that place individuals at higher vulnerability to poor perinatal outcomes.
RECENT FINDINGS
Recent research suggests that identifying risk for perinatal depression including historical diagnoses of depression, anxiety, trauma, and comorbid substance use and intimate partner violence may move the field to focus on preventive care in peripartum populations. Emerging data shows stark health inequities in racial and ethnic minority populations historically marginalized by the health system and in other vulnerable groups such as LGBTQ+ individuals and those with severe mental illness. Innovative models of care using systems-level approaches can provide opportunities for identification and risk analyses of vulnerable peripartum patients and facilitate access to therapeutic or preventive interventions. Utilizing intergenerational approaches and leveraging multidisciplinary teams that thoughtfully target high-risk women and other birthing individuals could promote significant changes to population-level care in maternal health.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Depression, Postpartum; Ethnicity; Minority Groups; Anxiety Disorders; Anxiety; Depression; Postpartum Period
PubMed: 36422834
DOI: 10.1007/s11920-022-01392-7 -
Current Opinion in Anaesthesiology Jun 2021Perinatal depression is a common and debilitating complication of pregnancy and childbirth. Recent studies have elucidated relationships between acute birth events on... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
Perinatal depression is a common and debilitating complication of pregnancy and childbirth. Recent studies have elucidated relationships between acute birth events on depression risk, and novel treatments for postpartum depression have been discovered and approved. This article reviews current understandings about birth events on depression, new screening standards, and novel treatments for postpartum depression.
RECENT FINDINGS
Pain, analgesia, and depression are complex traits that are inter-related during and after pregnancy. Certain individuals may benefit more than others from addressing pain and suffering around childbirth. Exposures to general anesthesia or postdural puncture headache are associated with postpartum depression symptoms, although a causal relationship is unlikely. Brexanolone, ketamine and its related compounds, and nonpharmacologic options offer new or alternative therapies for depression, although safety information for some of these treatments in pregnancy and lactation are needed. Maternal health bundles call for close attention to perinatal mental health screening with validated instruments, and for timely treatment referrals in the 'fourth trimester'.
SUMMARY
Clinical monitoring and timely treatment of depression in the perinatal and postpartum periods is critical for maternal postpartum health and recovery. Perinatal specialists and researchers should continue to focus on tailored treatments specific to this special population.
Topics: Delivery, Obstetric; Depression; Depression, Postpartum; Female; Humans; Mass Screening; Postpartum Period; Pregnancy
PubMed: 33935170
DOI: 10.1097/ACO.0000000000000998 -
Archivos Argentinos de Pediatria Jun 2020
Topics: Adult; Depression, Postpartum; Early Diagnosis; Female; Humans; Risk Factors
PubMed: 32470247
DOI: 10.5546/aap.2020.eng.154 -
Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine May 2020Perinatal depression affects 10% to 20% of women in the United States during pregnancy, the postpartum period, or both, but it can be difficult to recognize. Identifying... (Review)
Review
Perinatal depression affects 10% to 20% of women in the United States during pregnancy, the postpartum period, or both, but it can be difficult to recognize. Identifying and treating this problem can reduce the alarming number of suicides among depressed perinatal women and the possible adverse effects of untreated maternal depression on their child's cognitive and behavioral development. In this review, we discuss the latest developments in screening, treatment, and prevention methods.
Topics: Depression; Depression, Postpartum; Disease Management; Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Suicide; Suicide Prevention
PubMed: 32357982
DOI: 10.3949/ccjm.87a.19054 -
Nutrition and physical activity interventions to ameliorate postpartum depression: A scoping review.Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical... Dec 2021Globally, there is a high prevalence of postpartum depression (17.7%) reported in a recent study among mothers during the postpartum period. It contributes to poor... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Globally, there is a high prevalence of postpartum depression (17.7%) reported in a recent study among mothers during the postpartum period. It contributes to poor health and well-being among newly delivered women. We reviewed the published effect of nutrition and physical activity interventions on improving and treating postpartum depression.
METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN
The scoping review was performed using Arksey and O'Malley's methodological framework. The systematic search was conducted using Scopus, Pubmed, EBSCOHost and Google Scholar in April 2020, updated in March 2021. Only literature published between January 2010 until February 2021 was searched.
RESULTS
A total of 25 articles were included, of which 23 were randomised controlled trials , and 2 were quasi-experimental studies. Some of studies found improvements in depression (76% out of all studies). On this basis, nutrition or physical activity intervention probably improves postpartum depression. Moreover, the integration of nutrition and physical activity appears to improve depression in the more thorough follow-up of participants . Active involvement of the participant in the interventions was contributory to effectiveness.
CONCLUSIONS
Nutrition and physical activity interventions with appropriate strategy and delivery are promising options for the management of postpartum maternal mental health. More definitive investigation of non-pharmacological interventions to ameliorate depression among postpartum women is warranted.
Topics: Depression, Postpartum; Exercise; Female; Humans; Mothers; Nutritional Status; Postpartum Period
PubMed: 34967195
DOI: 10.6133/apjcn.202112_30(4).0013 -
BMC Psychiatry Oct 2021Despite the increased global interest from researchers in postpartum depression (PPD) and postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder (PP-PTSD), studies of PPD in China...
BACKGROUND
Despite the increased global interest from researchers in postpartum depression (PPD) and postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder (PP-PTSD), studies of PPD in China have shown a wide range of variability. Indeed, the prevalence and risk factors for PP-PTSD have received little attention in China.
AIM
To determine the prevalence of PPD and PP-PTSD in China, and to examine the relationships between a range of sociodemographic, pregnancy-related, and newborn-related variables, and PPD and PP-PTSD.
METHODS
A cross-sectional study involving 1136 women who returned to the obstetrics clinic for routine postpartum examination were enrolled. The sociodemographic, pregnancy-related, and newborn-related characteristics were collected. Social support, and PPD and PP-PTSD symptoms were measured by the Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS), the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and the Perinatal Post-traumatic Stress Questionnaire (PPQ).
RESULTS
The prevalence rates of PPD and PP-PTSD symptoms were 23.5 and 6.1%, respectively. A multivariate model showed that the presence of PP-PTSD was the strongest risk factor for PPD symptoms and vice versa. Other risk factors for PPD included low sleep quality, low social support and newborn's incubator admission. In terms of PP-PTSD symptoms, risk factors included the presence of PPD symptoms, non-Han ethnicity, and low social support, while having one child was a protective factor.
CONCLUSIONS
This study addressed some gaps in the literature and provided a better understanding of PPD and PP-PTSD in China, which may contribute to early detection and intervention. Attention should be paid to women who are most susceptible to PPD and/or PP-PTSD, including those with low social support, low sleep quality, newborn's incubator admission, non-Han ethnicity, and women with siblings.
Topics: Child; Cross-Sectional Studies; Depression, Postpartum; Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Postpartum Period; Pregnancy; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
PubMed: 34610797
DOI: 10.1186/s12888-021-03432-7 -
Ginekologia Polska 2021Epidemiological data clearly indicate that depression is becoming an increasingly important health and social problem today. According to the World Health Organization...
Epidemiological data clearly indicate that depression is becoming an increasingly important health and social problem today. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), depression currently affects 350 million people worldwide and is considered the second most common cause of disability in Europe after ischemic heart disease. It is estimated that this health problem may affect as many as five million people in Poland. The gap between the reported number of patients treated and the prevalence of depression, highlights the scale of unmet needs. With the limited availability of specialists in psychiatric care, the most appropriate measures seem to be those aimed at increasing the competence of doctors of other specialties in the diagnosis and treatment of depression. Early detection and treatment results in faster remission, reduces relapses and mortality. The recommendations concerning prevention of depression were commissioned by the Polish Ministry of Health as a part of the Depression Prevention Program for 2016-2020. The Program has developed recommendations addressed to specialists in various fields of medicine, other than psychiatry, focusing on three risk groups: children and adolescents, women in the perinatal period and the elderly. These recommendations focus on the management of suspected postpartum depression and provide specific guidelines for medical staff having contact with pregnant and postpartum women (gynecologists, midwives, pediatricians).
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Depression; Depression, Postpartum; Female; Humans; Poland; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Risk Factors
PubMed: 33448014
DOI: 10.5603/GP.a2020.0141 -
JAMA Network Open Jan 2019Interventions to reduce postpartum depression have mainly focused on enhancing screening to increase treatment rates among women. Preventive approaches are timely from a... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
IMPORTANCE
Interventions to reduce postpartum depression have mainly focused on enhancing screening to increase treatment rates among women. Preventive approaches are timely from a population health perspective, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where access to mental health services is limited.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the efficacy of regular exercise during pregnancy on the prevention of postpartum depression.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
This randomized clinical trial examines a prespecified secondary outcome of the Physical Activity for Mothers Enrolled in Longitudinal Analysis (PAMELA) Study, a parallel-group, randomized clinical trial. This trial was nested in the 2015 Pelotas (Brazil) Birth Cohort Study. Between August 27, 2014, and March 14, 2016, pregnant women between 16 and 20 weeks of gestation with no contraindications to exercise were randomized 1:2 to the intervention group or control group via computer-generated randomization using a block size of 9. Data were analyzed from March 7 to May 2, 2018.
INTERVENTIONS
Participants assigned to the intervention were engaged in a 16-week supervised exercise program including aerobic and resistance training delivered in 60-minute sessions 3 times per week.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
Postpartum depressive symptoms were assessed with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale 3 months after birth. A score of 12 or greater was defined as screening positive for postpartum depression. Primary analysis was performed on a complete case basis (90% of participants who had the primary end point ascertained).
RESULTS
A total of 639 participants (mean [SD] age, 27.1 [5.1] years; mean gestational age, 16.5 [1.5] weeks) were randomly assigned to the intervention group (n = 213) or control group (n = 426). Compliance with the protocol, defined as having engaged in at least 70% of exercise sessions, was low (40.4%). There was no significant difference in mean (SD) scores for postpartum depression between the intervention group (4.8 [3.7]) and the control group (5.4 [4.1]) (mean difference, -0.6; 95% CI, -1.3 to 0.1). There was also no significant difference in rates of postpartum depression between the intervention group (12 of 192 [6.3%]) and the control group (36 of 387 [9.3%]) (odds ratio, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.33-1.28). Instrumental variable analysis indicated that noncompliance may have attenuated the effect estimates obtained in the primary analysis.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
Moderate-intensity exercise during pregnancy did not lead to significant reductions in postpartum depression. However, noncompliance to the intervention protocol was substantial and may have led to underestimations of the possible benefits of exercise. The point estimates for this study are in the same direction as the previous randomized clinical trial on this topic. Future studies on how to promote regular exercise during pregnancy to improve compliance, particularly targeting young and less educated women, are warranted before further trials are undertaken.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02148965.
Topics: Adult; Depression, Postpartum; Exercise; Female; Gestational Age; Humans; Patient Compliance; Pregnancy; Pregnant Women; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Resistance Training; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 30646198
DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.6861 -
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia E... May 2022To detect depression during pregnancy and in the immediate postpartum period using the Edinburgh postpartum depression scale (EPDS).
OBJECTIVE
To detect depression during pregnancy and in the immediate postpartum period using the Edinburgh postpartum depression scale (EPDS).
METHODS
Cross sectional study of 315 women, aged between 14 and 44 years, who received perinatal care at the Leonor Mendes de Barros Hospital, in São Paulo, between July 1st, 2019 and October 30th, 2020. The cutoff point suggesting depression was ≥ 12.
RESULTS
The screening indicated 62 (19.7%) patients experiencing depression. Low family income, multiparity, fewer prenatal appointments, antecedents of emotional disorders, dissatisfaction with the pregnancy, poor relationship with the partner, and psychological aggression were all risk factors associated with depression in pregnancy or in the immediate postpartum period. Antecedents of depression and psychology aggression during pregnancy were significant variables for predicting perinatal depression in the multivariate analysis.
CONCLUSION
There is a significant association between the occurrence of perinatal depression and the aforementioned psychosocial factors. Screening patients with the EPDS during perinatal and postpartum care could facilitate establishing a line of care to improve the wellbeing of mother and infant.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Brazil; Cross-Sectional Studies; Depression; Depression, Postpartum; Female; Humans; Mass Screening; Postpartum Period; Pregnancy; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Risk Factors; Young Adult
PubMed: 35253138
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1743095