November 3, 2008

Postnatal depression ‘in the genes’

It was believed that the mood disorders affecting up to 75 per cent of new mothers were caused by the women’s circumstances, personality and hormonal changes. But according to a study by Cardiff University, Birmingham University and Trinity College, Dublin, funded by medical charity the Wellcome Trust, the most severe form of postnatal depression - postpartum psychosis - has a genetic cause. The study is now working to isolate the gene, which will enable doctors to identify and treat high-risk women before they fall ill.

For more information read The Observer

November 1, 2008

Screening and intervention for depressive mothers of new-born infants

 At 3 weeks, 21 of the 88 mothers (24%) were categorized as having had Maternity blues, and twelve (14%) were diagnosed as depression cases. At 3 months postpartum overall 15 of 88 mothers (17%) were categorized as depression cases. Ten out of total 15 mothers had their onset of depression within the first week. There were no differences in age, parity, educational level, social class compared to non-depressed mothers.

For more information read NCBI

Supplementation of a low dose of DHA and DHA+AA does not prevent peripartum depressive symptoms in a small population based sample.

119 women completed the study. The average frequency of fish intake was low, 0.94 times per week, and did not differ between the groups. The supplementation groups did not differ in mean EPDS scores or changes in EPDS scores, nor in incidence or severity of postpartum blues. Red blood cell DHA, AA and DHA/AA ratio did not correlate with EPDS or blues scores. Indices of sleep quality did not differ between the groups.

For more information read Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry