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JAMA Network Open Oct 2023Women are especially vulnerable to mental health matters post partum because of biological, emotional, and social changes during this period. However, epidemiologic...
IMPORTANCE
Women are especially vulnerable to mental health matters post partum because of biological, emotional, and social changes during this period. However, epidemiologic evidence of an association between air pollution exposure and postpartum depression (PPD) is limited.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the associations between antepartum and postpartum maternal air pollution exposure and PPD.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
This retrospective cohort study used data from Kaiser Permanente Southern California (KPSC) electronic health records and included women who had singleton live births at KPSC facilities between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2016. Data were analyzed between January 1 and May 10, 2023.
EXPOSURES
Ambient air pollution exposures were assessed based on maternal residential addresses using monthly averages of particulate matter less than or equal to 2.5 μm (PM2.5), particulate matter less than or equal to 10 μm (PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and ozone (O3) from spatial interpolation of monitoring station measurements. Constituents of PM2.5 (sulfate, nitrate, ammonium, organic matter, and black carbon) were obtained from fine-resolution geoscience-derived models based on satellite, ground-based monitor, and chemical transport modeling data.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
Participants with an Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale score of 10 or higher during the 6 months after giving birth were referred to a clinical interview for further assessment and diagnosis. Ascertainment of PPD was defined using a combination of diagnostic codes and prescription medications.
RESULTS
The study included 340 679 participants (mean [SD] age, 30.05 [5.81] years), with 25 674 having PPD (7.54%). Increased risks for PPD were observed to be associated with per-IQR increases in antepartum and postpartum exposures to O3 (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.09; 95% CI, 1.06-1.12), PM10 (AOR, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.00-1.04), and PM2.5 (AOR, 1.02; 95% CI, 1. 00-1.03) but not with NO2; PPD risks were mainly associated with PM2.5 organic matter and black carbon. Overall, a higher risk of PPD was associated with O3 during the entire pregnancy and postpartum periods and with PM exposure during the late pregnancy and postpartum periods.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
The study findings suggest that long-term exposure to antepartum and postpartum air pollution was associated with higher PPD risks. Identifying the modifiable environmental risk factors and developing interventions are important public health issues to improve maternal mental health and alleviate the disease burden of PPD.
Topics: Pregnancy; Humans; Female; Adult; Air Pollutants; Environmental Exposure; Retrospective Studies; Nitrogen Dioxide; Depression, Postpartum; Air Pollution; Particulate Matter; Postpartum Period; Ozone; Carbon
PubMed: 37851440
DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.38315 -
The Journal of Maternal-fetal &... Dec 2023To describe the prevalence and predictors of postpartum sleep disorders.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the prevalence and predictors of postpartum sleep disorders.
DESIGN
A retrospective cohort study.
SETTING
Postpartum.
POPULATION
Commercially insured women delivering in California (USA) between 2011 and 2014.
METHODS
Using the Optum Clinformatics Datamart Database.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Prevalence of a postpartum sleep disorder diagnosis with and without a depression diagnosis up to 12 months following hospital discharge for inpatient delivery. We also identified predictors of a postpartum sleep disorder diagnosis using multivariable logistic regression.
RESULTS
We identified 3535 (1.9%) women with a postpartum sleep disorder diagnosis. The prevalence of sleep disorder diagnoses was insomnia (1.3%), sleep apnea (0.25%), and other sleep disorder (0.25%). The odds of a postpartum sleep disorder were highest among women with a history of drug abuse (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 2.70, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.79-4.09); a stillbirth delivery (aOR: 2.15, 95% CI: 1.53-3.01); and chronic hypertension (aOR: 1.82; 95% CI: 1.57-2.11). A comorbid diagnosis of a postpartum sleep disorder and depression occurred in 1182 women (0.6%). These women accounted for 33.4% of all women with a postpartum sleep disorder. The strongest predictors of a comorbid diagnosis were a history of drug abuse (aOR: 4.13; 95% CI: 2.37-7.21) and a stillbirth delivery (aOR: 2.93; 95% CI: 1.74-4.92).
CONCLUSIONS
Postpartum sleep disorders are underdiagnosed conditions, with only 2% of postpartum women in this cohort receiving a sleep diagnosis using International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes. Insomnia was the most common disorder and one-third of women diagnosed with a postpartum sleep disorder had a co-morbid diagnosis of depression. Future studies are needed to improve the screening and diagnostic accuracy of postpartum sleep disorders.
Topics: Pregnancy; Humans; Female; Male; Prevalence; Retrospective Studies; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders; Stillbirth; Postpartum Period; Puerperal Disorders; Sleep Wake Disorders; Substance-Related Disorders; Sleep; Depression, Postpartum
PubMed: 36710393
DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2023.2170749 -
Current Opinion in Anaesthesiology Jun 2024Postpartum anemia (PPA) is common in women after childbirth and affects about 50-80% of all women worldwide. Iron deficiency (ID) is the main cause for anemia and... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
Postpartum anemia (PPA) is common in women after childbirth and affects about 50-80% of all women worldwide. Iron deficiency (ID) is the main cause for anemia and constitutes a potentially preventable condition with great impact on the mother's physical and mental condition after delivery. In most cases, PPA is associated with antenatal ID and peripartum blood losses. Numerous published studies confirmed the positive effect of PPA diagnosis and treatment.
RECENT FINDINGS
Iron deficiency as well as iron deficiency anemia (IDA) are common in the postpartum period and represent significant health problems in women of reproductive age.
SUMMARY
Important movements towards early detection and therapy of postpartum anemia have been observed. However, postpartum anemia management is not implemented on a large scale as many healthcare professionals are not aware of the most recent findings in the field. Diagnosis and therapy of PPA, particularly iron supplementation in ID and IDA, has proven to be highly effective with a tremendous effect on women's wellbeing and outcome.
Topics: Humans; Female; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency; Pregnancy; Anemia; Iron; Postpartum Period; Puerperal Disorders; Dietary Supplements; Iron Deficiencies
PubMed: 38390913
DOI: 10.1097/ACO.0000000000001338 -
Maternal and Child Health Journal Dec 2023Postpartum depression (PPD) has deleterious effects on both maternal and child outcomes. Poor maternal nutrition during pregnancy has been implicated in the development...
OBJECTIVE
Postpartum depression (PPD) has deleterious effects on both maternal and child outcomes. Poor maternal nutrition during pregnancy has been implicated in the development of PPD. This review aimed to explore the association between the overall dietary intake patterns during pregnancy and the development of PPD.
METHODS
A literature search was performed in PubMed, Embase, Scopus, CINAHL, and PsycINFO databases for relevant randomized controlled trials, cohort and cross-sectional studies published up to 17th September 2020. Included studies assessed at least one dietary pattern during pregnancy and reported on PPD. The Newcastle Ottawa Scale and the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools were used to assess the quality of methodology. A narrative analysis was conducted.
RESULTS
Ten studies (eight cohort and two cross-sectional) were included with substantial heterogeneity in measurements of dietary intake exposures and PPD. The studies identified several types of healthy dietary patterns, including a 'healthy', 'health conscious', 'Japanese', 'high-glycemic index/glycemic load', 'Vegetable', 'Nut-Fruit', 'Seafood', and 'compliance with the Australian Dietary Guidelines'. The 'Western', 'unhealthy', 'Beverage', 'Cereal-Meat', and 'Egg' were labelled as unhealthy dietary patterns. Four of the eight studies showed an inverse association between adherence to healthy diets and risk of PPD, whereas only one of the seven studies showed that adherence to unhealthy diets was associated with increased risk of PPD. Methodological quality of the studies varied across the sample.
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings indicate that adherence to a healthy diet may be beneficial for PPD. However, the relationship between unhealthy diets and PPD needs to be corroborated by more high-quality studies.
Topics: Child; Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Australia; Cross-Sectional Studies; Depression, Postpartum; Diet; Diet, Healthy
PubMed: 37814068
DOI: 10.1007/s10995-023-03781-7 -
JAMA Network Open Aug 2023Although selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are recommended for postnatal depression treatment, there is a lack of evidence regarding long-term maternal and...
IMPORTANCE
Although selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are recommended for postnatal depression treatment, there is a lack of evidence regarding long-term maternal and child outcomes following postnatal SSRI treatment.
OBJECTIVE
To examine whether postnatal SSRI treatment moderated postnatal depression-associated maternal and child outcomes across early childhood years.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
This cohort study used longitudinal data from the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study. Participating women were recruited in weeks 17 to 18 of pregnancy from 1999 to 2008 and were prospectively followed up after childbirth. Data analysis was performed between December 2021 to October 2022.
EXPOSURE
Postnatal depression diagnosis (a binary indicator of eligibility for treatment) was defined as a score of 7 or greater on the 6-item version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. The Hopkins Symptom Checklist was used as a continuous indicator of and postnatal depressive symptomology at postpartum month 6. Postnatal SSRI treatment was identified using self-reported data at postpartum month 6.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
Maternal outcomes included self-reported depression symptomology and relationship satisfaction from childbirth to postpartum year 5. Child outcomes included maternal-report internalizing and externalizing problems, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms, and motor and language development at ages 1.5, 3, and 5 years. A propensity score adjustment method was used to control for prenatal factors associated with postnatal SSRI exposure probability.
RESULTS
Among a total of 61 081 mother-child dyads, 8671 (14.2%) (mean [SD] age, 29.93 [4.76] years) met the criteria for postnatal depression diagnosis, 177 (2.0%) (mean [SD] age, 30.20 [5.01] years) of whom received postnatal SSRI treatment. More severe postnatal depression symptomology was associated with a range of adverse maternal and child outcomes. Focusing analyses only on the postnatal depression dyads indicated that postnatal SSRI treatment attenuated negative associations between postnatal depression and maternal relationship satisfaction at postpartum month 6 (moderation β, 0.13; 95% CI, 0.07-0.19), years 1.5 (moderation β, 0.11; 95% CI, 0.05-0.18) and 3 (moderation β, 0.12; 95% CI, 0.04-0.19), and for child ADHD at age 5 years (moderation β, -0.15; 95% CI, -0.24 to -0.05). Postnatal SSRI treatment mitigated the negative associations between postnatal depression and maternal depression, partner relationship satisfaction, child externalizing problems, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder up to 5 years after childbirth.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
The results of this large prospective cohort study suggest that postnatal SSRI treatment was associated with a reduced risk of postnatal depression-associated maternal mental health problems and child externalizing behaviors across early childhood years. These findings suggest that postnatal SSRI treatment may bring benefits in the long term to women with postnatal depression and their offspring. This study potentially provides valuable information for clinicians and women with postnatal depression to make informed treatment decisions.
Topics: Child, Preschool; Pregnancy; Humans; Female; Adult; Depression, Postpartum; Cohort Studies; Prospective Studies; Mothers; Propensity Score
PubMed: 37642961
DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.31270 -
Maternal and Child Health Journal Jul 2023Postpartum depression estimated prevalence in women is between 5 and 26% and it has adverse effects both on the mother, infant and her partner. Psychological treatments... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
Postpartum depression estimated prevalence in women is between 5 and 26% and it has adverse effects both on the mother, infant and her partner. Psychological treatments have proved to be effective for women with mild-to-moderate symptoms. Whereas several systematic reviews have assessed the effects of different psychological interventions for postpartum depression, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy or interpersonal therapy, no review assessing psychodynamic therapy has been carried out. A systematic review was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of psychodynamic therapy for postpartum depression.
METHODS
Studies were identified using the following databases: PsycINFO, Psycarticles and Pubmed over January 2023. The requirements for the studies were the following: they had to be quantitative, available in English, including a psychodynamic intervention targeting treatment or prevention of postpartum depression which starts during pregnancy or within the first 12 months after giving birth. Case studies, qualitative studies or studies focused on improving parent-infant relationship or infant outcome were excluded from this research.
RESULTS
Seven trials including 521 women met the inclusion criteria. In summary, three randomized controlled trials and four longitudinal studies were found. The most frequently used assessment tool was EPDS, five were individual interventions and the other two were group interventions.
DISCUSSION
All studies reported the efficacy of psychodynamic interventions for postpartum depression, both in home and clinical settings and both in group and individual format. The limited number of trials, small sample sizes and lack of appropriate control groups were the main limitations.
CONCLUSIONS FOR PRACTICE
Psychodynamic therapy is probably efficient intervention for postpartum depression. Future research with strong methodological designs is needed to confirm these findings.
SIGNIFICANCE
What is already known on this subject? Several systematic reviews have assessed the effects of different psychological interventions for postpartum depression, but no review assessing psychodynamic therapy has been carried out. What this study adds? A systematic review was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of psychodynamic therapy for postpartumdepression. This makes the systematic review a unique contribution to the literature.
Topics: Infant; Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Depression, Postpartum; Psychotherapy, Psychodynamic; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Behavior Therapy; Parturition
PubMed: 37029894
DOI: 10.1007/s10995-023-03655-y -
Optimizing Mental Health for Women: Recognizing and Treating Mood Disorders Throughout the Lifespan.The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry Sep 2023Mood disorders can come and go during the reproductive stages of a woman's life and beyond and can include premenstrual-related mood disorders, depression and other...
Mood disorders can come and go during the reproductive stages of a woman's life and beyond and can include premenstrual-related mood disorders, depression and other psychiatric disorders during pregnancy, postpartum mood disorders, and depression during menopause, as well as comorbid psychiatric conditions. Women may have regular contact with health care providers at these various stages in their lives, providing an opportunity for treatment intervention. However, clinicians struggle to effectively identify and manage these disorders, leaving women's mental health issues unaddressed and causing unnecessary suffering, multiple comorbidities, and unwanted outcomes. Context is essential for diagnoses and treatment, and spending time with patients, taking a full history, and taking the time to understand each patient's perspective during these complex periods lead to more accurate diagnoses, ultimately facilitating more effective treatment plans. An array of options is available for treating women's mental health, including antidepressants, oral contraceptives, hormones and recently approved neurosteroids, and nonpharmacological approaches. Clinicians need to be aware of which treatment options are available and evidence-based, guideline-directed solutions to help women manage their mental health. Creating patient-centered, individualized, evidence-based treatment plans is key to optimizing outcomes for women across their lifespan.
Topics: Pregnancy; Humans; Female; Mood Disorders; Mental Health; Longevity; Affect; Awareness; Puerperal Disorders
PubMed: 37728480
DOI: 10.4088/JCP.vtsmdd2136ahc -
BMC Public Health Jul 2023Anaemia is a reduction in haemoglobin concentration below a threshold, resulting from various factors including severe blood loss during and after childbirth. Symptoms... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Anaemia is a reduction in haemoglobin concentration below a threshold, resulting from various factors including severe blood loss during and after childbirth. Symptoms of anaemia include fatigue and weakness, among others, affecting health and quality of life. Anaemic pregnant women have an increased risk of premature delivery, a low-birthweight infant, and postpartum depression. They are also more likely to have anaemia in the postpartum period which can lead to an ongoing condition and affect subsequent pregnancies. In 2019 nearly 37% of pregnant women globally had anaemia, and estimates suggest that 50-80% of postpartum women in low- and middle-income countries have anaemia, but currently there is no standard measurement or classification for postpartum anaemia.
METHODS
A rapid landscape review was conducted to identify and characterize postpartum anaemia measurement searching references within three published systematic reviews of anaemia, including studies published between 2012 and 2021. We then conducted a new search for relevant literature from February 2021 to April 2022 in EMBASE and MEDLINE using a similar search strategy as used in the published reviews.
RESULTS
In total, we identified 53 relevant studies. The timing of haemoglobin measurement ranged from within the immediate postpartum period to over 6 weeks. The thresholds used to diagnose anaemia in postpartum women varied considerably, with < 120, < 110, < 100 and < 80 g/L the most frequently reported. Other laboratory results frequently reported included ferritin and transferrin receptor. Clinical outcomes reported in 32 out of 53 studies included postpartum depression, quality of life, and fatigue. Haemoglobin measurements were performed in a laboratory, although it is unclear from the studies if venous samples and automatic analysers were used in all cases.
CONCLUSIONS
This review demonstrates the need for improving postpartum anaemia measurement given the variability observed in published measures. With the high prevalence of anaemia, the relatively simple treatment for non-severe cases of iron deficiency anaemia, and its importance to public health with multi-generational effects, it is crucial to develop common measures for women in the postpartum period and promote rapid uptake and reporting.
Topics: Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Iron; Depression, Postpartum; Quality of Life; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency; Anemia; Postpartum Period; Fatigue; Hemoglobins
PubMed: 37518003
DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-16383-3 -
Journal of Affective Disorders Oct 2023Maternal and paternal perinatal depression and anxiety are theorised to adversely impact infant development. Yet, few studies have assessed both mental health symptoms...
BACKGROUND
Maternal and paternal perinatal depression and anxiety are theorised to adversely impact infant development. Yet, few studies have assessed both mental health symptoms and clinical diagnoses within the one study. Moreover, research on fathers is limited. This study therefore aimed to examine the association between symptoms and diagnoses of maternal and paternal perinatal depression and anxiety with infant development.
METHOD
Data were from the Triple B Pregnancy Cohort Study. Participants included 1539 mothers and 793 partners. Depressive and anxiety symptoms were assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and Depression Anxiety Stress Scales. Major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and agoraphobia were assessed using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview in trimester three. Infant development was assessed at 12-months using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development.
RESULTS
Antepartum, maternal depressive and anxiety symptoms were associated with poorer infant social-emotional (d = -0.11, p = .025) and language development (d = -0.16, p = .001). At 8-weeks postpartum, maternal anxiety symptoms were associated with poorer overall development (d = -0.11, p = .030). No association was observed for clinical diagnoses in mothers, nor paternal depressive and anxiety symptoms or clinical diagnoses; albeit risk estimates were largely in the expected direction of adverse effects on infant development.
CONCLUSIONS
Evidence suggests that maternal perinatal depression and anxiety symptoms may adversely impact infant development. Effects were small but findings underscore the importance of prevention, early screening and intervention, alongside consideration of other risk factors during early critical periods.
Topics: Male; Female; Pregnancy; Infant; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Depression; Cohort Studies; Depressive Disorder, Major; Anxiety; Anxiety Disorders; Fathers; Mothers; Depression, Postpartum
PubMed: 37302506
DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.06.020 -
Reproductive Health Aug 2023Most treatments for postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) lack evidence of effectiveness. New innovations are ubiquitous but have not been synthesized for ready access. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Most treatments for postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) lack evidence of effectiveness. New innovations are ubiquitous but have not been synthesized for ready access.
NARRATIVE REVIEW
Pubmed 2020 to 2021 was searched on 'postpartum haemorrhage treatment', and novel reports among 755 citations were catalogued. New health care strategies included early diagnosis with a bundled first response and home-based treatment of PPH. A calibrated postpartum blood monitoring tray has been described. Oxytocin is more effective than misoprostol; addition of misoprostol to oxytocin does not improve treatment. Heat stable carbetocin has not been assessed for treatment. A thermostable microneedle oxytocin patch has been developed. Intravenous tranexamic acid reduces mortality but deaths have been reported from inadvertent intrathecal injection. New transvaginal uterine artery clamps have been described. Novel approaches to uterine balloon tamponade include improvised and purpose-designed free-flow (as opposed to fixed volume) devices and vaginal balloon tamponade. Uterine suction tamponade methods include purpose-designed and improvised devices. Restrictive fluid resuscitation, massive transfusion protocols, fibrinogen use, early cryopreciptate transfusion and point-of-care viscoelastic haemostatic assay-guided blood product transfusion have been reported. Pelvic artery embolization and endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta and pelvic arteries are used where available. External aortic compression and direct compression of the aorta during laparotomy or aortic clamping (such as with the Paily clamp) are alternatives. Transvaginal haemostatic ligation and compression sutures, placental site sutures and a variety of novel compression sutures have been reported. These include Esike's technique, three vertical compression sutures, vertical plus horizontal compression sutures, parallel loop binding compression sutures, uterine isthmus vertical compression sutures, isthmic circumferential suture, circumferential compression sutures with intrauterine balloon, King's combined uterine suture and removable retropubic uterine compression suture. Innovative measures for placenta accreta spectrum include a lower uterine folding suture, a modified cervical inversion technique, bilateral uterine artery ligation with myometrial excision of the adherent placenta and cervico-isthmic sutures or a T-shaped lower segment repair. Technological advances include cell salvage, high frequency focussed ultrasound for placenta increta and extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation.
CONCLUSIONS
Knowledge of innovative methods can equip clinicians with last-resort options when faced with haemorrhage unresponsive to conventional methods.
Topics: Female; Pregnancy; Humans; Postpartum Hemorrhage; Oxytocin; Misoprostol; Placenta; Hemostatics
PubMed: 37568196
DOI: 10.1186/s12978-023-01657-1