To identify the different factors associated with postpartum blues and its association with postpartum depression, from a large French cohort.

We conducted an analysis of the Interaction Gene Environment in Postpartum Depression cohort, which is a prospective, multicenter cohort including 3310 women. Their personal (according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, fifth edition [DSM-5]) and family psychiatric history, stressful life events during childhood, pregnancy, and delivery were collected. Likewise, the French version of the Maternity Blues Scale questionnaire was administered at the maternity department. Finally, these women were assessed at 8 weeks and 1 year postpartum by a clinician for postpartum depression according to DSM-5 criteria.

The prevalence of postpartum blues in this population was 33%, and significant factors associated with postpartum blues were found as personal (aOR = 1.2) and family psychiatric history (aOR = 1.2), childhood trauma (aOR = 1.3), obstetrical factors, or events related to the newborn, as well as an experience of stressful life events during pregnancy (aOR = 1.5). These factors had a cumulative effect, with each additional factor increasing the risk of postpartum blues by 31%. Furthermore, adjustment for sociodemographic measures and history of major depressive episode revealed a significant association between postpartum blues and postpartum depression, mainly at early onset, within 8 weeks after delivery (aOR = 2.1; 95% CI = 1.6–2.7), but also at late onset (aOR = 1.4; 95% CI = 1.1–1.9), and mainly if the postpartum blues is severe.

These results justify raising awareness among women with postpartum blues, including reassurance and information about postpartum depression, its symptomatology, and the need for management in case of worsening or prolongation of postpartum blues.

Postpartum depression affects around 12% of mothers in developed countries, with consequences for the whole family. Many women with depressive symptoms remain undetected and untreated. The aim of this study was to investigate to what extent women with depressive symptoms at 6 weeks postpartum are identified by the healthcare system, the interventions they received, and remission rates at 6 months postpartum.

Postpartum women scoring 12–30 on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) at 6 weeks after delivery (n = 697) were identified from the longitudinal cohort study “Biology, Affect, Stress, Imaging and Cognition” (BASIC) in Uppsala, Sweden. A total of 593 women were included. Background and remission information at 6 months was collected from the BASIC dataset. Medical records were examined to identify interventions received.

Most women (n = 349, 58.7%) were not identified by the healthcare system as having depressive symptoms and 89% lacked any record of interventions. Remission rates at 6 months postpartum were 69% in this group. Among women identified by the healthcare system, 90% received interventions and about 50% were in remission at 6 months postpartum. The EPDS reduction during the study period was largest in the group identified by the child health services (CHS, −5.15) compared to the non-identified (−4.24, p < 0.001).

Despite screening guidelines, many women with depressive symptoms had no documentation of screening or interventions by the healthcare system. Furthermore, a significant proportion did not achieve remission despite interventions. Being identified by CHS was associated with the largest reduction of symptoms. Research is needed to understand gaps in the healthcare processes, to better identify peripartum depression.

Although the importance of the dynamic intra-individual relationship between mother-to-infant bonding and postpartum depressive symptoms has been widely recognized, the complex interplay between them is not well understood. Furthermore, the potential role of prenatal depressive symptoms and infant temperament in this relationship remains unclear. This study aims to examine the bidirectional influence of mother-to-infant bonding on postpartum depressive symptoms within individuals and to elucidate whether prenatal depressive symptoms and infant temperament would influence deviations from stable individual states.

Longitudinal data were collected from 433 women in early pregnancy. Of these, 360 participants completed the main questionnaires measuring impaired mother-to-infant bonding and postpartum depressive symptoms at least once during the postpartum period. Data were collected at early and late pregnancy and several postpartum time points: shortly after birth and at one, four, ten, and 18 months postpartum. We also assessed prenatal depressive symptoms and infant temperament. A random-intercept cross-lagged panel model was used.

Within-individual variability in mother-to-infant bonding, especially anger and rejection, significantly predicted subsequent postpartum depressive symptoms. However, the inverse relationship was not significant. Additionally, prenatal depressive symptoms and difficult infant temperament were associated with greater within-individual variability in impaired mother-to-infant bonding and postpartum depressive symptoms.

The present study demonstrated that the within-individual relationship between mother-to-infant bonding and postpartum depressive symptoms is likely non-bidirectional. The significance of the findings is underscored by the potential for interventions aimed at improving mother-to-infant bonding to alleviate postpartum depressive symptoms, suggesting avenues for future research and practice.

The aetiology and consequences of ‘baby blues’ (lower mood following childbirth) are yet to be sufficiently investigated with respect to an individual's clinical history.

The primary aim of the study was to assess the symptoms of baby blues and the relevant risk factors, their associations with clinical history and premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and their possible contribution to the early recognition of postpartum depression (PPD).

Beginning shortly after childbirth, 369 mothers were followed up for 12 weeks. Information related to their clinical history, PMS, depression, stress and mother–child attachment was collected. At 12 weeks, mothers were classified as non-depressed, or with either PPD or adjustment disorder.

A correlation was found between the severity of baby blues and PMS (r = 0.397, P < 0.001), with both conditions increasing the possibility of adjustment disorder and PPD (baby blues: OR = 6.72, 95% CI 3.69–12.25; PMS: OR = 3.29, 95% CI 2.01–5.39). Baby blues and PMS independently predicted whether a mother would develop adjustment disorder or PPD after childbirth (χ2(64) = 198.16, P < 0.001). Among the non-depressed participants, baby blues were found to be associated with primiparity (P = 0.012), family psychiatric history (P = 0.001), PMS (P < 0.001) and childhood trauma (P = 0.017).

Baby blues are linked to a number of risk factors and a history of PMS, with both conditions adding to the risk of PPD. The neuroendocrine effects on mood need be understood in the context of individual risk factors. The assessment of both baby blues and PMS symptoms within the first postpartum days may contribute to an early identification of PPD.

Major depression episode (MDE) and postpartum depression (PPD) have the same diagnosis criteria, but dissimilarities may be present regarding the frequency and structure of depressive symptoms.

We used data from the IGEDEPP Cohort (France) to examine DSM-5 depressive symptoms in two groups of women: 486 with PPD and 871 with a history of non-perinatal MDE. We compare (i) the frequency of each depressive symptom adjusted for the severity of depression, (ii) the global structure of depressive symptom networks, and (iii) the centrality of each symptom in the two networks.

Women with PPD were significantly more likely to have appetite disturbance, psychomotor symptoms, and fatigue than those with MDE, while sadness, anhedonia, sleep disturbance, and suicidal ideation were significantly less common. There were no significant differences in the global structure of depressive symptoms of MDE and PPD. However, the most central criterion of the MDE network was “Sadness” while it was “Suicidal ideations” for the PPD network. “Sleep” and “Suicidal ideations” criteria were more central for PPD network, whereas “Culpability” was more important for MDE network than for PPD network.

We found differences in depressive symptoms expression between PPD and MDE, which justify continuing to clinically distinguish PPD from MDE.

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a major depressive disorder developed after childbirth that negatively affects the well-being of both mother and infant. The relationship between domestic violence and the development of PPD symptoms is well documented. However, empirical evidence is lacking on how a person's perception of stress mediates this relationship.

To estimate the degree to which perceived stress may explain the association between being the victim of domestic violence and developing PPD symptoms among Bangladeshi mothers.

A cross-sectional survey design was employed from October to December 2019 to collect data from 497 postpartum mothers within the first 6 months of giving birth. The associations between domestic violence victimisation and developing PPD symptoms were assessed using multivariable logistic regressions. The Karlson–Holm–Breen method was used for mediation analysis.

One-third (34%) of the mothers in this sample reported experiencing PPD within 6 months. A one-item increase in the number of reported experiences (‘items’) of controlling behaviour, emotional domestic violence and physical domestic violence increased the odds of developing PPD symptoms by 27%, 40% and 31% respectively, after controlling for other variables and mediators. Furthermore, after adjusting for other variables, the mediating effect of perceived stress on the association of controlling behaviour, emotional domestic violence, physical domestic violence and any form of domestic violence with developing PPD symptoms was 45.1%, 43.0%, 31.2% and 37.5% respectively.

Findings suggest that perceived stress partially mediates the association between domestic violence victimisation and developing PPD symptoms. Understanding these complex relationships may help policymakers to formulate appropriate intervention strategies and support services.

Despite COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacting mental health, few studies evaluated effects on perinatal mental health.

Therefore, we aimed at assessing pregnant and puerperal women during first and second COVID-19 waves.

70 women (41 pregnant and 29 puerperal) consecutively afferent to our outpatient service for Perinatal Mental Health (March 2020-March 2021) were administered Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), Fear of COVID-19 (FCV-19-S), Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS) and Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience questionnaire (WDEQ).

Women who reported last menstruation date (LMD) in 2019 second semester showed higher EPDS scores (p=0.026), those with estimated delivery date (EDD) in 2021 second semester showed higher CAS scores than those with EDD in 2020 first semester (p=0.020) or in 2021 first semester (p<0.001). Women with clinically significant EPDS Scores reported higher FCV-S-19 (p=0.005) and CAS (p=0.003). Subjects with a previous psychiatric hospitalization showed higher FCV-S-19 (p=0.003). A weak positive correlation (r=0,290; R2=0,084; p=0.015) has been observed between FCV-S-19 and EPDS. Furthermore, there was a strong positive correlation (r=0,377; R2=0,142; P=0.001) between CAS and EPDS and between CAS and FCV-S-19 (r=0,641; R2=0.410; p<0.001). All subjects showed high scores for tocophobia after experiencing delivery.

COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted pregnant and/or postpartum women also without a previous psychiatric condition. Early identification and screening tools should be routinely provided to all pregnant and postpartum women.

No significant relationships.

The peripartum is a period at high risk for the onset of depressive symptoms. The prevalence of peripartum depression (PD) ranges from 6 to 20% and is burdened with high adverse birth outcomes, poor mother-infant bonding, and a high risk for suicidal ideation and attempts. However, PD is underrecognized and consequently undertreated.

We aimed at screening depressive symptoms in women during pregnancy and postpartum, and evaluating the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics associated with depressive symptoms.

199 women, 55 during pregnancy and 144 in the postpartum period, consecutively admitted to the Perinatal Mental Health Service of Ancona (Italy) were administered a socio-demographic and clinical questionnaire together with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Women scoring ≥ 12 at the EPDS were considered screening positive.

Twenty women (10%) were screening-positive. These women were more often foreigners (R2=0,032; β=0,178; p=0,012), single (R2=0,026; β=0,163; p=0,022), with a positive psychiatric family history (R2=0,114; β=-0,337; p=0,001) and more frequently affected by physical comorbidities unrelated to pregnancy (R2=0,03; β=0-0,174; p=0,014). These women also had more gestational comorbidities such as gestational hypertension (R2=0,02; β=-0,154; p=0,030), shortening of uterus neck (R2=0,05; β=-0,234; p=0,001), and miscarriage threats/placental abruption (R2=0,004; β=-0,067; p=0,001).

Our study highlighted the association between depressive symptoms and potentially dangerous gestational comorbidities. Our results further stress the need to screen all women in the peripartum for the presence of depression, in order to identify those at-risk and eventually put in place strategies to prevent further complications to mothers and children.

No significant relationships.

Postpartum depression (PPD) is an important cause of discomfort and dysfunction that impair the quality of life and the daily functionality not only of the patient but also of her child and her family, in its entirety. New treatment options have been made available for this pathology, but their use is restricted by methodological aspects, like the difficulty of administration, lack of enough data regarding their long-term efficacy, and costs.

To conduct a literature review in order to find the most evidence-based pharmacological interventions for PPD.

A literature review was performed through the main electronic databases (PubMed, CINAHL, SCOPUS, EMBASE) using the search paradigm “postpartum depression” AND “treatment” OR “pharmacological agents”. All papers published between January 2000 and August 2021 were included.

Among the most evidence-based agents for PPD treatment are serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). As individual agents, sertraline seems to be the most supported antidepressant by evidence from clinical trials, followed by escitalopram/citalopram, and fluoxetine. Other antidepressants supported by clinical data were venlafaxine, desvenlafaxine, nortriptyline, and bupropion. A 6-12 months maintenance treatment is considered optimal after remission, in women with a low risk of recurrence. Brexanolone, zuranolone, and ganaxolone are members of a new class of drugs studied for postpartum depression, but currently, only the first agent is FDA-approved for this indication.

SSRIs are the most supported by evidence treatments for PPD, and brexanolone is a drug with a new mechanism, dedicated to this pathology that provides new hope for recovery.

No significant relationships.

Post-partum depression may occur in the first year after childbirth in approximately 25% of women, at times presenting with psychotic symptoms and catatonic states. Catatonia is a psychomotor syndrome that occurs in association with various neuropsychiatric disorders and can be described according to the characteristics of its manifestation in types such as retarded or agitated.

We report the case of a patient with postpartum depression and catatonic syndrome who, after a session of electroconvulsive therapy, was infected with Sars-COV-2, suspended treatment, and had her condition aggravated with distinct clinical manifestations.

Clinical case report and non-systematic review of articles consulted in the PubMed platform.

A 24-year-old patient develops depressive symptoms and obsessive behaviour 6 months after delivery and deteriorates with mutism, stupor and motor immobility. She was hospitalised and medicated with lorazepam, with no improvement. One session of electroconvulsive therapy was carried out with improvement of the symptoms. Due to an inpatient Covid-19 outbreak, in which the patient was infected, treatment was suspended. During isolation, deterioration of the patient’s condition was observed with psychomotor agitation, bizarre behaviour, and perseverative speech. The patient resumed treatment with ECT, with total remission of the catatonic syndrome and improvement of the affective symptoms.

Catatonic syndromes are relatively rare, but its association with post-partum depression is not so uncommon. The occurrence of different presentations of catatonia, although described as possible in the same episode in the literature, were not found in any clinical studies reviewed, which leads us to conclude that it is an uncommon situation.

No significant relationships.

Antidepressants that offer a rapid onset of action without requiring chronic use are greatly needed in both major depressive disorder (MDD) and postpartum depression (PPD). Zuranolone is an investigational, oral, neuroactive steroid and GABAA receptor positive allosteric modulator in clinical development as a 2-week treatment course for MDD and PPD.

To present the efficacy and safety of zuranolone vs placebo in Phase 2 and 3 trials.

In the studies presented (Table 1), improvements in depressive symptoms were assessed by least-squares mean (LSM) using a mixed-effects model for repeated measures on the change from baseline (CFB) at Day 15 in the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression total score (HAMD-17; primary endpoint for all trials) and the Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS; secondary endpoint) following a 14-day treatment course of once-daily zuranolone.

Compared with placebo, zuranolone treatment led to rapid improvements in depressive symptoms across clinical trials, with significant improvements (LSM treatment difference [SE] in CFB) in HAMD-17 and MADRS scores at Day 15 in 3 of the 4 trials (Table 2). Common treatment-emergent adverse events (≥5% in zuranolone treatment arms) were headache, somnolence, dizziness, nausea, sedation, diarrhea, upper respiratory tract infection, and fatigue (Table 3). No incidences of loss of consciousness or excessive sedation were observed.

Across the completed studies in the zuranolone clinical trial program, patients receiving zuranolone consistently experienced improvement in depressive symptoms following a 2-week treatment course. Treatment with zuranolone was generally well tolerated with a consistent safety and tolerability profile.

The MDD-201B, MOUNTAIN, and ROBIN studies were sponsored by Sage Therapeutics, Inc; the WATERFALL study was sponsored by Sage Therapeutics, Inc, and Biogen. Medical writing and editorial support were provided by MediTech Media, Ltd, and funded by Biogen.

Postpartum and peripartum depression are debilitating disorders that impact the mother and their ability to care for their children’s emotional, social, and physical needs. Current treatments include psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy, and electroconvulsive therapy. These treatments are moderately effective or come with side effects that can negatively impact mother and child. As a result, many mothers view some treatments as unacceptable while pregnant or breastfeeding. Over the last decade, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has shown promise as an effective and safe treatment option for postpartum and peripartum depression. However, little is known regarding people’s knowledge and attitudes towards this emerging technology, with no research assessing this in Canada.

We aim to identify gaps in knowledge and to assess attitudes toward rTMS as a treatment for postpartum and peripartum depression in mental health professionals, patients, and the general public living in Canada.

A mixed methods study design will be employed. The qualitative portion will consist of individual semi-structured interviews. An inductive thematic analysis will be completed. The quantitative portion will consist of an anonymous, self-administered survey shared through REDCap. Focus groups with rTMS experts will be conducted to inform survey creation.

No resulst at this time.

Understanding gaps in knowledge and attitudes toward rTMS is the first step toward ensuring that everyone is well informed and able to access safe and effective treatments. With limited treatment options available to a postpartum and/or peripartum depression patients being well informed on all treatments is crucial towards accessing treatments that best suit their needs.

No significant relationships.

The extent to which structural gender inequality contributes to macro-level differences in postpartum depression (PPD) remains largely unknown.

To examine the association of structural gender inequalities with national-level prevalence estimates of PPD symptoms.

Meta-analytically derived national-level estimates for the prevalence of PPD symptoms – based on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) – were combined with economic (e.g., income inequality), health (e.g., infant mortality rate), sociodemographic (e.g., urban population), and structural gender inequality variables (e.g., abortion policies) for 40 countries (276 primary studies). Data came from a prior meta-analysis on PPD prevalence and international agencies (e.g., UNICEF). Meta-regression techniques and traditional p-value based stepwise procedures, complemented with a Bayesian model averaging approach, were used for a robust selection of variables associated with national-level PPD symptom prevalence. Sensitivity analyses excluded primary studies with small sample sizes or countries lacking evidence for psychometric properties of the EPDS.

Income inequality (β = 0.04, 95% CI = 0.02 to 0.07) and abortion policies (β = 0.02, 95% CI = 0.00 to 0.03) were the only variables included in the final, adjusted model, accounting for 60.7% of the variance in PPD symptoms across countries. Gradual liberalizations of abortion policies were associated with a 2% decrease in national-level PPD symptom prevalence. Results were robust to sensitivity analyses.

Structural gender inequalities might be social determinants of PPD, as the liberalization of abortion policies seem to impact women’s perinatal mental health on a population level. More research on structural gender inequality is needed to guide policy and practice.

No significant relationships.

The transition into parenthood is associated with an increased psychopathological vulnerability. Most studies have focused on mothers, although recently, the role of fathers has grown more importance. Paternal perinatal depression (PPD) is an episode of major depressive disorder occurring in new or expectant fathers during the perinatal period. PPD is not widely acknowledged and research are rare.

The authors intend to review the literature about PPD, focusing on its prevalence, risk factors, clinical features, treatment and consequences.

Non-systematic review of the literature through PubMed.

A meta-analysis of PPD estimated a prevalence of 10.4%. Risk factors of PPD are multiple and complex. There are sociodemographic factors, such as marital status, monthly income and social support. Psychological factors, for instance history of depression, maternal prenatal anxiety and maternal depression. Some literature also suggests hormonal changes on men like increase estrogen and lower testosterone levels. PPD can present with symptoms of mood alterations, like irritability and restricted emotions, anxiety, fatigue, insomnia, loss of appetite. Also common are behavioural disturbances such as interpersonal conflicts, impulsivity, violence, avoidance behaviour, and substance abuse. There are no studies to specific treatments to PPD, so the treatment is the same for women, such as antidepressants and psychotherapy. If untreated, PPD can have an adverse influence on the health and wellbeing of the mother and child.

PPD is still underscreened, underdiagnosed and undertreated. It is fundamental identifying risk factors and the development of specific interventions. Further research on PPD is needed.

No significant relationships.

Postpartum depression is a common psychiatric complication after pregnancy, so it is necessary to know the depressive symptoms to be able to carry out early prevention and treatment interventions. It is a health problem with a prevalence that ranges between 10–15% according to the world literature. Behavioral and psychosocial factors favoring postpartum depression are recognized.

-To emphasize multidisciplinary treatment in the combined attention to the mother-baby. -To demostrate decreased risk for baby if early use of antidepressants. -To evaluate of the impact of desvenlafaxine during breastfeeding.

Descriptive-study. Clinical Case. Evolution of postpartum depression. Follow-up of a patient based on coordination with the midwife attending a successful breastfeeding while treatment with desvenlafaxine. Use of Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale.

-Use of Desvenlafaxine 50-100mg being compatible with breastfeeding, in adittion to depressive illness improvement *Obstetrics and psychiatry guidelines and safety considerations for lactation and antidepressants).

-Postpartum-depression could be the first episode of depression in a healthy woman. Sometimes there are unnoticed symptoms during pregnancy. -Health-care for puerperal women should be focused on both, biomedical and psychosocial issues, with a coordinated multidisciplinar team. -Due to important early treatment during the puerperium, it is recommended a close medical control of the mother´s psychological state after the birth. -If depression appears, a psychiatric follow-up is kept even after the episode remission. Besides, the role of the midwife is essential during lactation. -Some antidepressants like desvenlafaxine have demonstrated benefits over the risk of the baby´s complications without treatment.

No significant relationships.