Folates and post partum depression.
Hypofolatemia can cause psychiatric disturbances of a depressive nature. Pregnancy and delivery are often associated with hypofolatemia. This study was conducted to determine if hypofolatemia at day 3 post partum is a risk factor for baby blues or post partum depression. To study this hypothesis, 131 post partum women were followed prospectively for the 3 months immediately following delivery. 19% were found to have 'baby blues', as defined by a score greater than 20 on Pitt's scale (Pitt, 1968, J. Psychiatry 114, 1325-1335) and 12% had post partum depression as defined by a score greater than 7 on QD2A scale (Pichot et al., 1984, Rev. Psycholog. App. 34, 229-250, 323-340), within the three months post partum. No relationship was observed between the serum or erythrocyte folate levels on the third day following delivery and the maternal post partum depression scores. A statistically significant correlation between post partum depression and previous psychiatric disturbance was, however, observed.
Rouillon
F
F
Hôpital Louis Mourier, Service de Psychiatrie, Colombes, France.
Thalassinos
M
M
Miller
H D
HD
Lemperiere
T
T
D000328:Adult; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000097:blood*; D005494:Folic Acid Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis; D012307:Risk Factors
D005492:Folic Acid