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Cardiff Puerperal Mood and Hormone Study. III. Postnatal Depression at 5 to 6 Weeks Postpartum, and its Hormonal Correlates Across the Peripartum Period

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Brian Harris ,
Lisetta Lovett ,
Jonathan Smith ,
Graham Read ,
Richard Walker  and
Robert Newcombe
Brian Harris*
Affiliation:
Whitchurch Hospital
Lisetta Lovett
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Leighton Hospital, Crewe CW1 4QJ
Jonathan Smith
Affiliation:
Whitchurch Hospital, Cardiff CF4 7XB
Graham Read
Affiliation:
Steroid Assay Laboratory, Tenovus Institute, Cardiff CF4 4XW
Richard Walker
Affiliation:
Llandough Hospital and Community Trust, S. Glam CF6 42XX
Robert Newcombe
Affiliation:
Department of Medical Computing and Statistics, University of Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff CF4 4XW
*
Dr Harris, Department of Psychiatry, (University of Wales College of Medicine), Whitchurch Hospital, Cardiff CF4 7XB
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Abstract

Background

We assessed associations of mood at 5–6 weeks postpartum with peripartum saliva cortisol and progesterone profiles.

Method

A prospective study involved 120 primiparous women free of major marital, socioeconomic and health problems, who collected saliva twice daily from 2 weeks before delivery to day 35 postpartum. This allowed intensive characterisation of cortisol and progesterone profiles. At the conclusion of the study, mood was assessed according to standard criteria.

Results

Seven women developed major depression according to DSM–III–R criteria No associations emerged between progesterone and mood at 5 to 6 weeks. Lower levels of evening cortisol in the immediate peripartum period, were associated with postnatal depression.

Conclusion

The study provides no support for the treatment strategy of progesterone augmentation following delivery, as a prophylactic against postnatal depression. The HPA axis and its associations with postnatal mood warrants further investigation.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 168 , Issue 6 , June 1996 , pp. 739 - 744
Copyright
Copyright © 1996 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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