Seasonal effects on depression risk and suicidal symptoms in postpartum women

Abstract

Background Postpartum depression (PPD) is the most common complication of childbirth. Suicide is a leading cause of maternal death in the first postpartum year. Depressed mothers often have suicidal ideation (SI). Depression and suicidality may vary across the seasons. Previous studies of seasonality and PPD were relatively small or encumbered by study design constraints. We examined the possible relationship between seasonality, depression, and SI in 9,339 new mothers. Methods From 2006 to 2010, the investigators screened women within 4–6 weeks postpartum with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). We used spectral analysis to explore seasonal variation in risk for depression and suicidality. Results The study team screened 9,339 new mothers, of whom 1,316 (14%) women had positive depression scores (EPDS ≥ 10) which suggest PPD risk; 294 (3%) women had SI (item 10 ≥ 1). A positive EPDS was associated significantly with SI. PPD risk varied significantly across 12-months—risk was highest in December. We detected no seasonal variation in SI. Conclusions Effects of seasonal light variation may contribute to increased risk for depressive symptoms. Suicidality could be related to maternal depression but not seasonal variation.

Seasonality and symptoms of depression: A systematic review of the literature

“…The most common design in this group were studies with repeated cross-sectional measurements, and most common symptoms were assessed with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (Cox et al, 1987). In four of these studies, the prevalence of depressive Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences 3 Admissions for mood disorders more prevalent in winter (n = 48) and spring (n = 43), and lowest in autumn (n = 15) (χ 2 = 18.32, df = 3, p < 0.01) Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences 9 symptoms was higher among mothers who gave birth in winter/ autumn (Ballard et al, 1993;Sit et al, 2011;Sylven et al, 2011;Yang et al, 2011). Henriksson et al (2017) reported no overall association in Swedish mothers at one hospital.…”

Early predictive biomarkers for postpartum depression point to a role for estrogen receptor signaling

“…Several studies indicate that women suffering from PPD are at higher risk of committing suicide (Quelopana et al 2011;Sit et al 2011). PPD is associated with insecure mother-infant attachment and emotional, social, cognitive and behavioral problems that have a negative impact on the development of the child (Orr & Miller, 1995;Beck, 1998).…”

Meteorological parameters and air pollen count in association with self-reported peripartum depressive symptoms

“…Seasonal patterns in peripartum depressive symptoms have been studied, although there is no clear consensus [37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46]. We have previously reported a seasonal pattern in postpartum depressive symptoms, with an increased risk in women giving birth in October-December, compared with those giving birth in April-June [44], which could not be replicated in a later study from the same catchment area [46].…”