Mid-pregnancy corticotropin-releasing hormone levels in association with postpartum depressive symptoms

• Background: Peripartum depression is a common cause of pregnancy and postpartum related morbidity. The production of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) from the placenta alters the profile of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis hormones and may be associated with postpartum depression. The purpose of this study was to assess, in non-depressed pregnant women, the possible association between CRH levels in pregnancy and depressive symptoms postpartum.Methods: A questionnaire containing demographic data and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale was filled in gestational weeks 17 and 32, and six weeks postpartum. Blood samples were collected in week 17 for assessment of CRH. A logistic regression model was constructed, using postpartum Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale score as the dependent variable and log transformed CRH levels as the independent variable. Confounding factors were included in the model. Sub-analyses after exclusion of study subjects with preterm birth, small for gestational age newborns, and women on corticosteroids were performed.Results: 535 women without depressive symptoms during pregnancy were included. Logistic regression showed an association between high CRH levels in gestational week 17 and postpartum depressive symptoms, before and after controlling for several confounders (unadjusted Odds Ratio = 1.11; 95% CI 1.01 – 1.22, adjusted Odds Ratio = 1.13; 95% CI 1.02 – 1.26, per 0.1 unit increase in log corticotropin-releasing hormone). Exclusion of women with preterm birth and newborns small for gestational age as well as women who used inhalation corticosteroids during pregnancy did not alter the results.Conclusions: This study suggests an association between high CRH levels in gestational week 17 and the development of postpartum depressive symptoms, among women without depressive symptoms during pregnancy.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Psykiatri (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Psychiatry (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Reproduktionsmedicin och gynekologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine (hsv//eng)

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)