Abstract
Postpartum depression (PPD) affects approximately 1 in 10 women after childbirth. A thorough understanding of a preexisting vulnerability to PPD will likely aid the early detection and treatment of PPD. Using a within-sample association, the study examined whether the brain’s structural and functional alterations predict the onset of depression. 157 euthymic postpartum women were subjected to a multimodal MRI scan within the first 6 days of childbirth and were followed up for 12 weeks. Based on a clinical interview 12 weeks postpartum, participants were classified as mentally healthy or having either PPD or adjustment disorder (AD). Voxel-based morphometry and resting-state functional connectivity comparisons were performed between the three groups. 13.4% of women in our study developed PPD (n = 21) and 12.1% (n = 19) adjustment disorder (AD). The risk factors for PPD were a psychiatric history and the experience and severity of baby blues and the history of premenstrual syndrome. Despite the different risk profiles, no differences between the PPD, AD and control group were apparent based on structural and functional neuroimaging data immediately after childbirth. At 12 weeks postpartum, a significant association was observed between Integrated Local Correlation (LCor) and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Score (EPDS). Our findings do not support the notion that the brain’s structural and resting-state functional alterations, if present, can be used as an early biomarker of PPD or AD. However, effects may become apparent if continuous measures of symptom severity are chosen.
Highlights
Postpartum depression (PPD) affects approximately 1 in 10 women after childbirth
There was a significant interaction between Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Score (EPDS) score and group with women in the PPD group showing an increase in EPDS scores from T0 to T4, while women in the adjustment disorder (AD) and healthy controls (HC) groups showed a decrease in EPDS scores from T0 to T4, F(2,151) = 40.86, p < 0.001
These women experienced baby blues more often compared to HC (p < 0.001) and the baby blues they experienced were more severe in comparison to those experienced by HC (p = 0.001)
Summary
Postpartum depression (PPD) affects approximately 1 in 10 women after childbirth. A thorough understanding of a preexisting vulnerability to PPD will likely aid the early detection and treatment of PPD. The onset of depression within the first four weeks postpartum is typically rapid, affecting those with an increased sensitivity to reproductive hormone fluctuation[2,3] Other factors such as alterations in the production of corticotropin-releasing h ormone[4] and accelerated immune r esponses[5] are thought to play a role. The earliest stages of PPD are frequently overlooked due to the commonplace nature of baby blues (sudden feelings of sadness within the first few days postpartum), affecting up to 80% of new mothers[13,14] Another likely event linked to childbirth is adjustment disorder (AD), which is a maladaptive reaction to identifiable psychosocial stressors[1]. According to the DSM-5 c riteria[1], only an early onset can be considered as real PPD, whereas the later onset should be classified as MDD
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
