Untreated depression in the first trimester of pregnancy leads to postpartum depression: high rates from a natural follow-up study.
BACKGROUND
This is a natural follow-up study that presents the postpartum results of women who experienced depression during pregnancy.


METHODS
This study involved 78 women diagnosed with depression in the first trimester of pregnancy. All patients were diagnosed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders (SCID-I) in the first trimester and all were referred to a psychiatric center for treatment. Of the 78, 73 were contacted postpartum and reassessed by SCID-I. Treatment anamnesis was evaluated retrospectively.


RESULTS
The women were divided into two groups at the postpartum evaluation according to anamnesis of psychiatric treatment. Twenty-one of the 73 (28.7%) had received treatment during pregnancy (treated group). Fifty-two women had not been treated (untreated group). In the treated group, no postpartum depression was determined (0%). In the untreated group, 92% (n=48) of women had a depressive disorder postpartum (P<0.01). In addition, scores regarding depression, functionality, and perceived social support were worse postpartum for the untreated group.


CONCLUSIONS
Untreated depression during pregnancy is an important predictor of postpartum depression. This natural follow-up study is important because it presents very striking rates of postpartum depression. Referral of patients with depression during pregnancy to psychiatric treatment should be provided and is strongly encouraged.
Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Sakarya University, Adapazarı, Turkey.
Esra
E
Yazici
Bolge Training and Research Hospital, Erzurum, Turkey.
Tulay Sati
TS
Kirkan
Adana Training and Research Hospital, Adana, Turkey.
Puren Akcali
PA
Aslan
Bakirkoy Nervous and Mental Disease Education and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
Nazan
N
Aydin
Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Sakarya University, Adapazarı, Turkey.
Ahmet Bulent
AB
Yazici
depression; mood; perinatal; postpartum; pregnancy; untreated depression