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April 3, 2009
Stress Hormone May Identify Risk For Postpartum Depression
Risk factors for postpartum depression include depression before or during pregnancy, a history of premenstrual syndrome as well as a history of mood changes with oral contraceptive use. Social risks include inadequate family support, or personality factors such as trait anxiety.
A recent study found that levels of a stress hormone, corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) elevated during the 25th week of pregnancy was correlated with patients who went on to develop postpartum depression. Levels of the hormone normally surge with pregnancy, however the amount of CRH was also assessed at weeks 15, 19, 31 and 35 and none of these (even if elevated) were predictive of a mood episode. Researchers admit that the correlation was not 1:1 but elevated CRH at 25 weeks was able to predict likelihood of depression onset with 75% accuracy.
Researchers are unsure why there is a biologic vulnerability for excess CRH in some women, however this study points to a possible test that may be used clinically to screen for depression.
The study was funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. An abstract of the study may be found online “Risk of Postpartum Depressive Symptoms with Elevated Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone” in the February Archives of General Psychiatry.
Robin Stone, M.D.
Insight Psychiatry
13123 Rosedale Hill Ave.
Huntersville, NC 28078
704-948-3810
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