Peripartum Predictors of the Risk of Postpartum Depressive Disorder: Results of a Case-Control Study.

Kornelia Zaręba,Hanna Rozenek,Grzegorz Jakiel,Jolanta Banasiewicz,Stanisław Wójtowicz

doi:10.3390/ijerph17238726

Abstract

Background: The study aimed at the identification of the risk factors present during delivery, which might be present in prophylactic programs concerning postpartum mood disorders. Material and Method: This was a retrospective comparative study. The study material included data retrieved from the medical records of patients hospitalized in the Teaching Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics of Professor Orłowski Hospital in Warsaw, in the years 2010–2017. The EPDS data of 604 patients were analyzed. The study group included 75 women who obtained at least 12 points in the EPDS and the control group was made up of 75 women who obtained no more than 5 points in the EPDS. Results: The women in whom we noted an increased risk of developing mood disorders had blood loss >1000 mL and had a significantly longer stage II and III of labor than the control group. Other risk factors were cesarean section, vaginal delivery with the curettage of the uterine cavity, slightly lower APGAR scores (0.4 pts), and lower birth weight (approximately 350 g) of the child. Women at a low risk of postpartum mood disorders more commonly underwent episiotomy during delivery (76%). Conclusions: Increased supervision and support should be offered to women who experienced the above-mentioned risk factors.

Highlights

Postpartum mood disorders occur in a large group of women and constitute the most common emotional disorder developing after delivery [1]
Similar results were obtained by researchers in Thailand and India, where postpartum mood disorders were reported in 8.23% of women in the vaginal delivery group and in over 21% of women in the Cesarean section group [18]
The obtained results and conclusions might present a practical value for persons providing perinatal care at every stage, with particular attention paid to delivery as a culmination of pregnancy both for women and for the medical personnel

Summary

Introduction

Postpartum mood disorders occur in a large group of women and constitute the most common emotional disorder developing after delivery [1]. Postpartum mood worsening might increase the risk of developing postpartum depression and subsequent anxiety disorders [2]. Postpartum mood depression was named “a physiological side effect of a woman developing into a mother” by some authors [5]. Some researchers view it as a physiological variant resulting from hormonal changes [3]. The study aimed at the identification of the risk factors present during delivery, which might be present in prophylactic programs concerning postpartum mood disorders

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion