Risk factors for postpartum depression: a retrospective investigation.
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.
McCoy
Sarah J Breese
SJ
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
Beal
J Martin
JM
Saunders
Barbara
B
Hill
Erin N
EN
Payton
Mark E
ME
Watson
Gary H
GH
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