Comparison of postpartum depression and mother-infant bonding between diabetic and non-diabetic mothers: Prospective...

To compare the incidence of postpartum depression, mother-infant bonding, and anxiety among women with diabetes mellitus.

This prospective cohort study included women who had singleton pregnancies and delivered a live neonate (either vaginal delivery or cesarean delivery) in a tertiary care center in South India. Group A consisted of women with gestational diabetes mellitus who received medical management. Group B included age-, gestational age-, and parity-matched women with no medical comorbidities. Both groups were administered locally validated versions of three questionnaires (Patient Health Questionnaire [PHQ-9], the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire [GAD-7], and Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire [PBQ]) at two points (1-3 days postnatal/postoperative (T1) and 6 weeks postpartum). The variables were assessed using χ² or Fisher exact tests. Binomial logistic regression was used to identify risk factors for depression in the diabetic group.

A total of 520 women (260 in each arm) were recruited and analyzed; their demographic variables were comparable. Diabetic women had a significantly higher incidence of depression (assessed using PHQ-9 score) in the immediate postpartum period (11.9% versus 5.8%; odds ratio [OR] 2.21, P = 0.013) and 6 weeks postpartum (4.6% versus 1.2%; P = 0.018). However, the levels of maternal anxiety (17 [6.5%] versus 14 [5.4%]; P = 0.578) and mother-child bonding (0 [0%] versus 0 [0%]; P = 1) at time point 1 were comparable. No significant differences were observed in maternal anxiety and bonding at time point 2. Multiple logistic regression revealed neonatal intensive care unit admission (adjusted OR 11.83, 95% confidence interval 3.7-37.78; P = 0.000) as significant predictors for early postpartum depression.

Postpartum depression was significantly higher in women having antenatal diabetes. However, maternal anxiety and mother-child bonding were comparable.