Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy - MGH Center for Women's Mental Health

Parental Age and Risk of ADHD in Children

Many studies have examined the association between parental age and psychiatric illness in the children, including autism and schizophrenia. In a recent case-control study from Finland, the authors identified 10,409 individuals with ADHD born between 1991 and 2005 from nationwide population-based registers. Logistic regression was used to examine the association between parental age and ADHD in the offspring, adjusting for potential confounding factors including parental psychiatric history, maternal socioeconomic status, marital status, maternal smoking during pregnancy, number of previous births, and birth weight.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-07-08T14:07:59-04:00April 7th, 2015|Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Outcomes, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|Comments Off

Intergenerational Transmission of Depression: Telomere Shortening and Cortisol Reactivity in Girls at High Risk for Depression

In every cell, genetic material is contained within the double-stranded molecules of DNA called chromosomes. Every time a cell divides, the chromosomes are copied so that each new cell gets a copy of this genetic material. However, the process isn’t perfect – a little bit of the end of the chromosome is lost each time so the copy is not a perfect reproduction. To prevent important genetic material from being lost, the cell protects itself with structures called telomeres located at the ends of the chromosomes. Telomeres are repeating DNA sequences and proteins that act like a guard so that when the chromosome is copied, the important material is protected and only the telomere is shortened. Since telomere shortening happens every time the cell divides, telomeres act like biological clocks for the cell. When the chromosome has been copied enough times that the telomere has been completely worn away, any future copies of the chromosome may be missing important genetic material and the cell may cease to function normally.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-04-30T13:42:04-04:00April 1st, 2015|Child Outcomes, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|Comments Off

Abuse as a Risk Factor for Perinatal Depression

Two recent reports explore the relationship between abuse and risk for perinatal depression. The first is a study which analyzed data from 53,065 pregnant women participating in the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study (MoBa). [...]

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-07-07T11:30:43-04:00March 16th, 2015|Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Prevalence & Risk Factors, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|Comments Off

What is The Best Screening Tool for Antenatal Depression

About 10% to 15% of women experience clinically significant depressive symptoms during pregnancy. Furthermore, women with a history of major depression appear to be at high risk for recurrent illness during pregnancy particularly in the [...]

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-03-03T14:36:33-04:00March 6th, 2015|Depressive Disorders, Diagnosis & Screening, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|Comments Off

Pregnancy Loss May Affect Mood in Subsequent Pregnancies

Many women experience the loss of a pregnancy at some time in their lives. It is estimated that about 20% of all pregnancies end in miscarriage. In the United States, another 14% end in termination.1 [...]

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2021-11-04T08:28:32-04:00March 4th, 2015|Depressive Disorders, Pregnancy Loss, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|Comments Off

Treating Depression During Pregnancy Prevents Postpartum Depression

This is a relatively small study but I think it underscores the importance of screening for and treating depression during pregnancy. Previous studies have indicated that about 10% to 15% of women experience clinically significant [...]

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2016-07-20T13:30:59-04:00February 26th, 2015|Depressive Disorders, Postpartum Depression, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Prevention, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy, Treatment|Comments Off

Ethnic Minorities at Greater Risk of Depression during Pregnancy

While various studies have recently examined the prevalence of depression during pregnancy, few of these studies have examined how being an ethnic minority may influence the risk of antenatal depression. A new study from Oslo, Norway suggests that certain ethnic minorities may have a higher risk.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-04-03T10:57:29-04:00February 17th, 2015|Depressive Disorders, Prevalence & Risk Factors, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|Comments Off

Psychological Distress in the Mother May Affect Levels of Immunoglobulins in Breast Milk

We have seen multiple studies which indicate that postpartum depression (PPD) interferes with breastfeeding. Postpartum women who suffer from depression are less likely to breastfeed, and they typically breastfeed for a shorter duration than women who are not depressed. A recent study looks at an entirely different question, asking whether postpartum stress affects the quality of the breast milk. In this study, the researchers focused on levels of immunoglobulin A (IgA) in the breast milk. (Immunoglobulins or antibodies are passed from the mother to the baby through the breast milk and help to confer immunity.)

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-04-03T10:58:53-04:00February 9th, 2015|Child Outcomes, Outcomes, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy, PTSD and Stress Related Disorders|Comments Off

Folic Acid is Essential for All Women of Reproductive Age

Last week was National Folic Acid Awareness Week at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), so this seems like a great time to remind women (and their caregivers) of the importance of folic acid in the prevention of birth defects. By taking the recommended dosage of folic acid daily, women will reduce the risk of neural tube defects by 50% - 70%. In addition, women who take folic acid supplements are less likely to give birth to a child with an autism spectrum disorder.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2018-06-09T17:45:25-04:00January 19th, 2015|Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy, Risk of Malformations|Comments Off

Pilot Study: Omega-3 Fatty Acids Decrease Levels of Stress during Pregnancy

We have long been concerned about the impact of stressful life events on pregnancy outcomes. There is data to indicate that stress experienced during pregnancy may increase the risk of various adverse outcomes, including increased risk of preterm birth and lower birth weight. Other studies suggest that prenatal exposure to maternal stress may also increase the risk of later psychopathology in the child, increasing the exposed child’s risk of being diagnosed with ADHD, mood and anxiety disorders, and schizophrenia.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-04-03T13:20:16-04:00January 15th, 2015|Alternative & Complementary, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy, Treatment|Comments Off