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 near future.  


Prospective Longitudinal Study of Predictors of Postpartum-Onset Depression in Women With a History of Major Depressive Disorder.

Suri R, Stowe ZN, Cohen LS, Newport DJ, Burt VK, Aquino-Elias AR, Knight BT, Mintz J, Altshuler LL.  J Clin Psychiatry. 2017 Mar 14.


Maternal and infant genetic variants, maternal periconceptional use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and risk of congenital heart defects in offspring: population based study.

Nembhard WN, Tang X, Hu Z, MacLeod S, Stowe Z, Webber D; National Birth Defects Prevention Study..  BMJ. 2017 Mar 6;356:j832.  Free Article

Single nucleotide polymorphism in infant genes in the folate, homocysteine and transsulfuration pathways were associated with an increased risk of congenital heart defects.


Effectiveness of the ‘Home-but not Alone’ mobile health application educational programme on parental outcomes: a randomized controlled trial, study protocol.

Shorey S, Ng YP, Danbjørg DB, Dennis CL, Morelius E.  J Adv Nurs. 2017 Jan;73(1):253-264.

The aim of this study was to describe a study protocol that evaluates the effectiveness of the ‘Home-but not Alone’ educational programme delivered via a mobile health application in improving parenting outcomes.


Clinical characteristics of women with reproductive cycle-associated bipolar disorder symptoms.

Perich TA, Roberts G, Frankland A, Sinbandhit C, Meade T, Austin MP, Mitchell PB.  Aust N Z J Psychiatry. 2017 Feb;51(2):161-167.

77% of women reported increases in mood symptoms during perimenstrual, postnatal or menopausal periods.


Catatonia among women with postpartum psychosis in a Mother-Baby inpatient psychiatry unit.

Nahar A, Kondapuram N, Desai G, Chandra PS.  Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2017 Mar – Apr;45:40-43.

Catatonic symptoms were identified in 20% of women with postpartum psychosis.


What do dads want? Treatment preferences for paternal postpartum depression.

Cameron EE, Hunter D, Sedov ID, Tomfohr-Madsen LM.  J Affect Disord. 2017 Mar 9;215:62-70.

Fathers prefer psychological interventions over pharmacotherapy for treatment of PPD; however, the majority of participants were not depressed and were asked to respond to a hypothetical scenario of what they would do if faced with PPD.


Genetic variants of the kynurenine-3-monooxygenase and postpartum depressive symptoms after cesarean section in Chinese women.

Wang SY, Duan KM, Tan XF, Yin JY, Mao XY, Zheng W, Wang CY, Yang M, Peng C, Zhou HH, Liu ZQ.  J Affect Disord. 2017 Mar 10;215:94-101.

In a group of Chinese postpartum women, heightened activity of KMO activity, including as arising from KMO rs1053230 G/A genetic variant, was associated with postpartum depressive symptoms. Kynurenine 3-monooxygenase (KMO) is a rate-limiting enzyme of the KP, where it catalyzes the conversion of kynurenine (KYN) to 3-hydroxykynurenine (3-HK).


The association between historical childhood sexual abuse and later parenting stress: a systematic review.

Hugill M, Berry K, Fletcher I.  Arch Womens Ment Health. 2017 Apr;20(2):257-271. Review.  Free Article

Research suggests the existence of a relationship between childhood sexual abuse and parenting stress though this association is mostly mediated by other variables, including depression and other psychosocial stressors.


A randomized controlled trial: effects of a prenatal depression intervention on perinatal outcomes among Chinese high-risk pregnant women with medically defined complications.

Zhao Y, Munro-Kramer ML, Shi S, Wang J, Luo J  Arch Womens Ment Health. 2017 Apr;20(2):333-344.

In a group of women with high risk pregnancies due to obstetric complications, the intervention group had a significantly lower cesarean rate and shorter third stage of labor, as well as lower rates of postpartum depressive symptoms.


Depressive Symptoms and Gestational Length Among Pregnant Adolescents: Cluster Randomized Control Trial of CenteringPregnancy® Plus Group Prenatal Care.

Felder JN, Epel E, Lewis JB, Cunningham SD, Tobin JN, Rising SS, Thomas M, Ickovics JR.

J Consult Clin Psychol. 2017 Mar 13.

Pregnant adolescents randomized to CenteringPregnancy® Plus experienced greater reductions in perinatal depressive symptoms compared to those randomized to individual care. Increased depressive symptoms during the second and third trimesters were associated with shorter gestational age at delivery and preterm birth (<37 weeks gestation).

Related Posts