title: Active ghrelin and the postpartum.
abstract: Postpartum depression (PPD) occurs in 10-15 % of women. The appetite hormone ghrelin, which fluctuates during pregnancy, is associated with depression in nonpregnant samples. Here, we examine the association between PPD and active ghrelin from pregnancy to postpartum. We additionally examine whether ghrelin changes from pregnancy to postpartum and differs between breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding women. Sixty women who participated in a survey examining PPD and had information in regard to ghrelin concentrations were included in the study. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale was used to assess symptoms of PPD. Raw ghrelin levels and ghrelin levels adjusted for creatinine were included as outcomes. Women screening positive for PPD at 12 weeks postpartum had higher pregnancy ghrelin concentrations. Ghrelin concentrations significantly decreased from pregnancy to 6 weeks postpartum and this change differed based on pregnancy depression status. Finally, ghrelin levels were lower in women who breastfed compared with women who were bottle-feeding. No significant findings remained once ghrelin levels were adjusted for creatinine. Although results do not suggest an association between PPD and ghrelin after adjusting for creatinine, future research should continue to explore this possibility extending further across the postpartum period with larger sample sizes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB #7175, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7175, USA.
authors.forename: Jessica H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB #7175, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7175, USA.
authors.forename: Cort
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pedersen
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB #7175, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7175, USA.
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Leserman
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB #7175, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7175, USA. Kim_Brownley@med.unc.edu.
authors.forename: Kimberly A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Brownley
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000652:urine; D001903:Bottle Feeding; D001942:Breast Feeding; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000652:urine; D005260:Female; D054439:Ghrelin / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000652:urine; D006801:Humans; D007774:Lactation / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000652:urine; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000652:urine; D011247:Pregnancy; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D054439:Ghrelin
keywords: Breastfeeding; Depression; Ghrelin; Postpartum