[Correlative analysis of postpartum depression].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the incidence of postpartal depression in the south and north and to comprehensively analyze the changes of sex hormone and neurotransmitter,and their relationship with postpartum depression.


METHODS
All published articles on case-control studies on the changes of sex hormone and neurotransmitter,and their relationship with postpartum depression were collected by literature retrieval based on the selection criteria. Meta-analysis was applied to evaluate the data in published papers from 1994 to 2004 in China.


RESULTS
The incidence of postpartal depression in the south was 15.63%. The combined P-valve was 0.0874, and 95% CI was 0.14 to 0.17. The incidence of postpartum depression in the north was 7.66%. The combined P-valve was 0.0252, and 95% CI was 0.05 to 0.08. There was significant difference between the incidence of postpartum depression in the south and north (P<0.01). Estrogen and 5-HT in the plasma of the 1st week after childbirth was obviously lower than the controls. Estrogen in the plasma of the 1st week after childbirth and the 6th week after childbirth decreased more quickly than the controls. Progesterone and orphanin FQ in the plasma of the 1st week after childbirth were higher than the controls.


CONCLUSIONS
The incidence of postpartum depression in the south is higher than that of the north. Postpartum depression is related to the decrease in the plasma estrogen, 5-HT, dopamine, and noradrenaline, and to the increase in the plasma progesterone and Orphanin FQ.
Luo
Yang
Y
School of Nursing, Central South University, Changsha 410013, China. Ly603202@sina.com
He
Guo-ping
GP
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004967:Estrogens / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000097:blood; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D012701:Serotonin / Q000097:blood
D004967:Estrogens; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D012701:Serotonin; D011374:Progesterone