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Review
. 2009 Apr;200(4):357-64.
doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2008.11.033.

Postpartum depression

Teri Pearlstein  1 , Margaret Howard, Amy Salisbury, Caron Zlotnick
Affiliations
Review

Postpartum depression

Teri Pearlstein et al. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2009 Apr.

Abstract

Postpartum depression (PPD) affects up to 15% of mothers. Recent research has identified several psychosocial and biologic risk factors for PPD. The negative short-term and long-term effects on child development are well-established. PPD is under recognized and under treated. The obstetrician and pediatrician can serve important roles in screening for and treating PPD. Treatment options include psychotherapy and antidepressant medication. Obstacles to compliance with treatment recommendations include access to psychotherapists and concerns of breastfeeding mothers about exposure of the infant to antidepressant medication. Further research is needed to examine systematically the short-term and long-term effect of medication exposure through breastmilk on infant and child development.

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References

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