title: Risk factors for postpartum depression: a retrospective investigation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To search for a possible correlation between incidence of postpartum depression (PPD) and any of the following factors recorded in patient charts at the routine, 4-week postnatal visit: age, breast-feeding status, smoker/nonsmoker, marital status, preexisting depression and type of delivery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were obtained from 588 obstetric charts for women who gave birth between June 1, 2003, and June 1, 2004, at 3 university clinics in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Prior history of depression and smoking cigarettes were significant risk factors for an Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale score of 13 or higher, indicating probable PPD.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data and previous findings warrant continued investigation in a larger study to clearly delineate these and other possible risk factors for PPD and to facilitate prophylactic patient education and intervention strategies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences and College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery, Tulsa 74107-1898, USA. sjmccoy98@aol.com
authors.forename: Sarah J Breese
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: McCoy
authors.forename: J Martin
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Beal
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Saunders
authors.forename: Erin N
authors.initials: EN
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.forename: Mark E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Payton
authors.forename: Gary H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Watson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001942:Breast Feeding; D003863:Depression; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000453:epidemiology