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CRH linked to depression after birth
February 3, 2009 by Baby Chums
Filed under News
Which women become depressed after birth, (Postpartum depression), has been a largely unanswered question. A paper published in the Archives of General Psychiatry, may provide an answer.
Depression can run in families and a family history is one factor that may contribute to the illness. However, researchers from the University of California, Irvine found that an increased level of corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH), can put women at risk for developing depression.
The CRH hormone is produced by the placenta and regulates lots of other hormones.
Monitoring the hormone levels in the blood of 100 pregnant women. Researchers checked women several times during the pregnancy from week 15.
Out of the 100 women monitored, 16 women developed depression after pregnancy.
Researchers found that measuring the placental CRH at 25 weeks was a strong predictor of postpartum depression.
The papers authors suggest that screening for postpartum depression might be added as standard screening at the 24 to 28 week mark of a pregnancy.
About 13 percent of pregnant women and new mothers, suffer from depression. It is reported to be more than just feeling “blue,” but a serious illness that interferes with daily living and activities and largely treatable.
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