Seasonality patterns in postpartum depression

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the possible association between postpartum depressive symptoms and season of delivery.

Study design: During 1 year, delivering women in the Uppsala University Hospital were asked to participate in the study by filling out 3 postpartum questionnaires containing the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression scale and questions assessing life style, medical history, breastfeeding, and social support.

Results: Two thousand three hundred eighteen women participated. Women delivering in the last 3 months of the year had a significantly higher risk of self-reported depressive symptomatology both at 6 weeks (odds ratio, 2.02, 95% confidence interval, 1.32-3.10) and at 6 months after delivery (odds ratio, 1.82, 95% confidence interval, 1.15-2.88), in comparison to those delivering April-June, both before and after adjustment for possible confounders.

Conclusion: Women delivering during the last quartile of the year had a significantly higher risk for depressive symptoms 6 weeks and 6 months postpartum and would thus benefit from a closer support and follow-up after delivery.