The Transition From Maternity Blues to Full-Blown Perinatal Depression

Results From a Longitudinal Study

Bibliographic Data

ID15524845
AuthorsMario Luciano (0000-0002-4338-1371, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", corresponding author), Gaia Sampogna (0000-0002-9547-2793, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli"), Valeria Del Vecchio (University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli"), Vincenzo Giallonardo (0000-0003-3294-1748, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli"), Francesco Perris (0000-0003-1084-0524, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli"), Marco Carfagno (0000-0002-1357-1035, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli"), Maria Luce Raia (University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli"), Matteo Di Vincenzo (0009-0008-3517-8905, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli"), Marco La Verde (0000-0002-6071-0245, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli"), Marco Torella (0000-0001-8853-5760, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli"), A Fiorillo (0000-0002-6926-0762, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli")
Year2021
Volume12
Pages703180-703180
Publication date2021-11-03
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Psychiatry (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1664-0640 • E-ISSN: 1664-0640
PublisherFrontiers Media (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpsyt.2021.703180
PMID34803751
OpenAlexW3210122140
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited67

Background: The aims of the present study are to: (1) assess the frequency of maternity blues (MB); (2) identify the clinical and social characteristics more frequently associated with the onset of depressive symptoms after delivery; and (3) verify the hypothesis that the presence of maternity blues is a risk factor for the onset of a full-blown depressive episode in the 12 months after delivery. Methods: This is a longitudinal observational study. All pregnant women who gave birth at the inpatient unit of Gynecology and Obstetrics of the University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" from December 2019 to February 2021 have been invited to participate in the study. Upon acceptance, women were asked to complete the Italian version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale along with an ad-hoc questionnaire on the women's sociodemographic, gynecological and peripartum characteristics as well as their psychiatric history. Women have been reassessed after one, 3, 6 and 12 months. Results: A total of 359 women were recruited within 3 days from delivery, with a mean EPDS total score of 5.51 (±4.20). Eighty-three women (23.1%) reported the presence of maternity blues. Mean EPDS total scores were 12.8 (±0.2) in the MB group vs. 4.26 (±0.2) in the group without MB ( p p p p p Conclusions: Although MB was a self-limiting condition in the majority of cases, depressive symptoms arose quite often immediately after the childbirth. Professionals should be trained to monitor symptoms of MB and its transition toward a depressive episode

Anxiety · Depression (economics · Depressive symptoms · Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale · Longitudinal study · Observational study · Obstetrics · Obstetrics and gynaecology · Pregnancy · Psychiatry · Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development · Infant Development and Preterm Care · Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum · Medicine · Internal Medicine

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