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Updated: Aug 27, 2025
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Using a Murine Model of Psychosocial Stress in Pregnancy as a Translationally Relevant Paradigm for Psychiatric Disorders in Mothers and Infants
Published on: June 13, 2021
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Peripartum depression and its predictors: A longitudinal observational hospital-based study
Sherifa Ahmed Hamed1, Mohamed Elwasify2, Mohamed Abdelhafez3
1Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Assiut University Hospital, Assiut 71516, Egypt. hamedsherifa@aun.edu.eg.
World Journal of Psychiatry
|September 26, 2022
Summary
Peripartum depression affects over 20% of women, with anxiety being a key predictor. Early identification and intervention for antepartum depression and parenting stress are crucial for maternal mental health.
Area of Science:
- Perinatal mental health
- Clinical psychology
- Obstetrics
Background:
- Depression is prevalent in women of childbearing age, often linked to the demands of motherhood.
- Antepartum depression (before birth) is less studied than postpartum depression (after birth).
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence and severity of peripartum depression and major depressive disorder.
- To identify predictors of peripartum depression.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal observational study of 200 women with depression symptoms (Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale score ≥ 13).
- Follow-up from early pregnancy to 10-12 weeks postpartum.
- Assessment of depression, anxiety, parenting stress, and psychiatric diagnosis; thyroid hormone levels (T3, T4, TSH) were measured.
Main Results:
- 20.66% of women had clinically significant depression symptoms, and 7.44% had major depression.
- Anxiety was a significant predictor for both antepartum and postpartum depression.
- Antepartum depression and parenting stress predicted postpartum depression.
Conclusions:
- Clinically significant depression affects over 20% of women during the perinatal period.
- Anxiety, antepartum depression, and parenting stress are key factors influencing maternal mental health.
- Further research and interventions targeting these predictors are warranted.
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