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Case Reports
. 2024 Feb 29;16(2):e55208.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.55208. eCollection 2024 Feb.

Exploring the Efficacy of Ketamine as an Anesthetic and Antidepressant in Postpartum Depression: A Case Study Analysis

Clara Benjamin  1 , Rediet Tefera Atalay  2 , Oluwapelumi Kolawole  1 , Miguel Ramallo  2 , Valerie McAllister  1 , Oluwasegun A Akinyemi  3   4 , Mahlet Siraga  2 , Miriam B Michael  1   5
Affiliations
Case Reports

Exploring the Efficacy of Ketamine as an Anesthetic and Antidepressant in Postpartum Depression: A Case Study Analysis

Clara Benjamin et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Postpartum depression is a common mental health disorder that affects women within six months after giving birth. It is characterized by sadness, anxiety, and extreme fatigue, which can significantly impact a woman's daily functioning and ability to care for her newborn. While traditional treatments for postpartum depression include therapy and medication, recent studies have shown promising results using ketamine. We present a case of a woman with a history of depression who delivered four children by cesarean section with debilitating postpartum depression in two births and no symptoms of depression in the births where she received ketamine during delivery.

Keywords: anesthesia; anti-depressants; ketamine; maternal mental health; postnatal depression; postpartum depression; pregnancy.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Risk factors for post-partum depression
Image Credit: Valerie McAllister (co-author)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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