Study: Hormone links to postpartum depression

BEIJING, Feb.3 (Chinese medianet)-- Increased

levels of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), which is produced by the

placenta, identifies women who are at risk for developing depression after their

pregnancy ends, according to a studyinthe Archives of General

Psychiatry as quoted by media Tuesday.

"The high incidence and severe consequences of

postpartum depression make the identification of women at risk an important

research goal," Dr. Ilona S. Yim at the University of California, Irvine, and

co-investigators write in their report.

They point out that several lines of evidence link

CRH, a key hormone involved in regulating many other hormones, to depressive

symptoms following delivery.

Furthermore, the researchers conducted a study in

which hormone levels in the blood were measured several times throughout

pregnancy in 100 women, starting at week 15. Sixteen women developed postpartum

depression.

Placental CRH level at 25 weeks was a strong

predictor of postpartum depression, the authors report.

Yim's group suggests that screening for placental CRH

is a plausible means of predicting postpartum depression.

"Because blood draws to screen for gestational

diabetes are typically performed at 24 to 28 weeks gestational age," they write,

"a potential postpartum depression screen could be completed at the same time."

(Agencies)