Weekly Roundup for MARCH 31, 2017: Recent Publications in Women’s Mental Health
At the top of the list is an article about brexanolone, a derivative of allopregnanolone, which in a small pilot study was effective for the treatment of postpartum depression. Also interesting are two articles which discuss perinatal anxiety (from Dennis and colleagues); both of these studies indicate that anxiety is just as common as depression during the perinatal period. Ruta Nonacs, MD PhD Open-label, proof-of-concept study of brexanolone in [...]
Do DHA Supplements Make Babies Smarter? Yes, No, Maybe…
DHA or docosahexaenoic acid is an omega-3 fatty acid which is essential for the growth and development of the brain in infants and is required for maintenance of normal brain function in adults. Based on the importance of this nutrient, most infant formulas now contain DHA. While infants can make DHA from other ("essential") fatty acids in their diet, including fatty acids in infant formulas, some studies suggest that some infants, [...]
The Effects of Marijuana on Fetal Development
Given that many states have or are now moving forward with the legalization of medical and recreational marijuana, it should be no surprise that we are seeing an increasing number of women in our clinic who are using marijuana on a regular basis. According to a nationwide survey, 7.3% of Americans 12 or older regularly used marijuana in 2012, up from 5.8% of Americans in 2007. Among younger and socioeconomically disadvantaged [...]
Perinatal Depression Screening Is Just The Start
The following post was first published in OB/GYN News. Please see our OB/GYN News archives here. Publish date: March 3, 2017 Over the last decade, appreciation of the prevalence of perinatal depression – depression during pregnancy and/or the postpartum period – along with interest and willingness to diagnose and to treat these disorders across primary care, obstetric, and psychiatric clinical settings – has grown. The passage of the Affordable Care Act in 2010 [...]
Weekly Roundup for MARCH 24, 2017: Recent Publications in Women’s Mental Health
The first study on the list looks at predictors of postpartum depression in women with a history of major depressive disorder. We will be reviewing this one next week. In addition, the article from Nembhard and colleagues is also very interesting and suggests that certain genetic factors in the infant may confer vulnerability to congenital heart defects. We will also be taking a closer look at this article in the [...]
Dietary Supplements to Prevent Postpartum Depression? Proceed with Caution
Over the last few days, there has been a lot of buzz regarding the use of a nutritional supplement to reduce risk of postpartum depression. Quoting one of these articles: "'Women who take the supplement don't get sad [in the early days of motherhood],' said Dr. Jeffrey Meyer, co-author of a study testing this blues-banishing regimen." But before we get too excited about this supplement, we need to take a closer [...]