Weekly Roundup for April 5, 2024: Recent Publications in Women’s Mental Health

PMS AND PMDD

INFERTILITY AND MENTAL HEALTH

PSYCHIATRIC ILLNESS DURING PREGNANCY

Only 19.8% of respondents with symptoms of a perinatal mood and anxiety disorder (PMAD) had a PMAD diagnosis between delivery and 3 months afterward. Black respondents were less likely to have PMAD diagnoses (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=0.23, 95% CI=0.11-0.49) compared with White respondents. Among Black respondents, more comorbid conditions and more life stressors were statistically significantly associated with having a diagnosis (AOR=3.18, 95% CI=1.27-7.96 and AOR=3.12, 95% CI=1.10-8.88, respectively).

Prevalence of Perinatal Anxiety and Related Disorders in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

These findings suggest that 1 in 5 women living in LMICs experience anxiety disorders during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

Development of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale-United States: An Updated Perinatal Mental Health Screening Tool Using a Respectful Care and Trauma-Informed Approach.

Through small but impactful linguistic updates, the EPDS-US offers inclusive person-first language and eliminates confusing phrases or wording that may be perceived as judgmental. The goal of the adapted EPDS-US is to foster symptom disclosure in an environment of safety and trust.

Using an Electronic Mindfulness-based Intervention (eMBI) to improve maternal mental health during pregnancy: Results from a randomized controlled trial.

Pregnancy- and birth-related anxiety decreased significantly in the intervention group (IG) and 6 weeks after birth, the rate of women at risk for adverse mental outcome was significantly lower compared to the CG. Mindfulness scores improved significantly in the IG. The eMBI program did not show effectiveness with regard to general depressive or anxiety symptoms, however, positive results were demonstrated regarding pregnancy and birth-related anxiety and the prevention of postpartum depression.

MEDICATIONS AND PREGNANCY

continued antidepressant use during pregnancy is influenced by the severity of the disease rather than genetic predisposition as measured by polygenic risk scores (PGSs) for major depression (MDD), bipolar disorder (BD), and schizophrenia (SCZ).

POSTPARTUM PSYCHIATRIC ILLNESS

After controlling for prophylactic use of mood stabilising medication, the loss of at least one complete night of sleep across labour/delivery was associated with five times the odds of experiencing PP compared to no or less than one night of sleep loss across labour/delivery (OR 5.19, 95 % CI 1.45-18.54; p = 0.011).

Weaning and depression: a closer look.

review the relevant literature and conclude that post-weaning depression is a rare but severe complication of breastfeeding cessation.

Postpartum Insomnia and Poor Sleep Quality Are Longitudinally Predictive of Postpartum Mood Symptoms.

The prevalence of insomnia was 20.4%, and the prevalence of poor sleep quality was 67.8% across the first 6 months postpartum. Postpartum insomnia and poor sleep quality at the between-subject and within-subject levels tended to uniquely predict greater depressive and anxiety symptoms, even after controlling for demographic characteristics, prenatal insomnia, and prenatal poor sleep quality.

Ecological momentary assessment of postpartum outcomes in mothers of multiples: lower maternal-infant bonding, higher stress, and more disrupted sleep.

Mothers of multiples experienced worse postpartum bonding, more stress, and more interrupted sleep than mothers of singletons.

MEDICATIONS AND BREASTFEEDING

PERINATAL SUBSTANCE USE

MATERNAL MENTAL HEALTH AND CHILD OUTCOMES

Data from the Shanghai Birth Cohort Study: among 3379 mothers, 11.07 %, 5.42 %, and 34.85 % of women experienced depression, anxiety, and elevated stress, separately. As maternal prenatal scores increased, infant social-emotional scores decreased.

The role of perinatal maternal symptoms of depression, anxiety and pregnancy-specific anxiety for infant’s self-regulation: A prospective longitudinal study.

Fetal exposure to maternal affective symptoms – specifically pregnancy-related anxiety – plays a substantial role in the development of infant self-regulation problems, potentially mediated by epigenetic modifications.

Prenatal and Postnatal Maternal Depressive Symptoms Are Associated With White Matter Integrity in 5-Year-Olds in a Sex-Specific Manner.

Prenatal and postnatal maternal psychological distress is associated with brain white matter (WM) tract developmental alterations in a sex- and timing-dependent manner. Higher EPDS scores during the second trimester of pregnancy were associated with changes in WM microstructure in boys observed at 5 years of age. In contrast, higher EPDS scores at 3 months postpartum were associated with changes in WM microstructure in girls.

MENOPAUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH

OTHER TOPICS IN WOMEN’S MENTAL HEALTH