Weekly Roundup for November 24, 2017: Recent Publications in Women’s Mental Health
This week there are some very interesting articles looking at the effects of negative childhood experiences on risk for postpartum depression and impaired mother-infant bonding. In a large population-based study, Meltzer-Brody and colleagues reported that adverse life events experienced during childhood, primarily the result of to parental psychopathology, are at increased risk of postpartum psychiatric illness. In another study, Macdonald and colleagues observed that adolescent-parent bonding problems were strongly predictive [...]
Postpartum depression: Moving toward improved screening with a new app
Dr. Lee S. Cohen recently shared news of a new screening application for postpartum depression with ObGyn News
Depression in Fathers Increases Risk for Adolescent Depression
According to a study published last year in the journal Pediatrics, adolescent depression is on the rise. In adolescents, the 12-month prevalence of major depression increased from 8.7% in 2005 to 11.3% in 2014. Other studies have noted an increase in rates of suicide among adolescents, particularly girls; among girls aged 10-14, the suicide rate tripled between 1999 and 2014. Because multiple studies have observed that depression in the mother can [...]
Weekly Roundup for November 17, 2017: Recent Publications in Women’s Mental Health
The article that received the most attention this week is one examining the risks associated with the use of stimulants to treat ADHD during pregnancy (Cohen JM et al, 2017). There were no real surprises here, but the study suffers from many of the same shortcomings as other studies investigating the effects of other psychotropic medications. We will cover this article in greater detail next week. Have a happy and [...]
Autism Spectrum Disorders and Maternal Nutrition
Current research suggests that autism spectrum disorders (ASD) occur as a result of events that take place during pregnancy. While genetic factors play an important role, non-heritable risk factors contribute to a substantial proportion of ASD cases. Maternal nutrition has been a focus of interest as a factor which may influence risk for ASD. However, results from population-based studies have yielded conflicting results. In two studies -- one an American [...]
Weekly Roundup for November 3, 2017: Recent Publications in Women’s Mental Health
The comorbidity of Axis I disorders in depressed pregnant women. Dindo L, Elmore A, O'Hara M, Stuart S. Arch Womens Ment Health. 2017 Aug 25. Researchers observed high rates of anxiety disorders among women both with and without current major depression, although depressed women reported higher rates of generalized anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. Maternal posttraumatic stress disorder during the perinatal period and child outcomes: A systematic review. Cook N, [...]