Abstract
Previous human and animal studies have reported an association between endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and anxiety/depression. This study aimed to determine how the concentrations of phthalate metabolites, bisphenol A, triclosan, and parabens in breast milk are associated with the risk of developing postpartum depression (PPD) in Korean mothers. We recruited 221 mothers who were receiving lactation coaching at breastfeeding clinics between July and September 2018. The breast milk samples were collected along with responses to the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. The multivariable logistic regression results revealed that the phthalate, bisphenol A, parabens, and triclosan levels in the breast milk were not significantly associated with the risk of PPD. This study was the first attempt to analyze the association between the levels of EDCs in breast milk and the risk of PPD. Considering that PPD is a condition that affects not only the women diagnosed with it, but also their children and families, the results of this study may have great relevance to populations in environmentally sensitive periods.
Highlights
Postpartum depression (PPD) is defined as the occurrence of major depressive episodes either in pregnancy or within the first 4 weeks postpartum, and it affects 7–20% of all mothers [1,2,3,4]
Primiparous mothers, based on a previous study, which showed that the concentration of toxic chemicals in breast milk was different between primiparous and multiparous mothers [38]; (2) mothers who spend the most time with their infants during the day; (3) mothers who were currently breastfeeding; (4) mothers who did not have a history of or were not diagnosed with depression; (5) mothers who had lived in their current residence for more than one year; and (6) mothers who understood the study purpose and agreed in writing to participate
This study was conducted to determine how the concentrations of phthalate metabolites, bisphenol A (BPA), TCS, and parabens in breast milk were associated with the risk of postpartum depression (PPD)
Summary
Postpartum depression (PPD) is defined as the occurrence of major depressive episodes either in pregnancy or within the first 4 weeks postpartum, and it affects 7–20% of all mothers [1,2,3,4]. When a woman experiences childbirth, the placenta, which secretes reproductive hormones such as estradiol and progesterone, is delivered. Women experience marked changes in reproductive hormone levels in the pre- and post-pregnancy and delivery periods, and fluctuations in these reproductive hormones are known to contribute to the development of PPD [2,3,5]. Progesterone regulates the synthesis, release, and movement of neurotransmitters [6,7]. These hormones are associated with antidepressive effects and directly or indirectly affect emotions, cognition, and motivation, including the development of PPD [3,8]
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