Relationship Between Oxidative Stress Concentration and Postpartum Depression: A Cohort Study

Postpartum depression is a mood disorder that has harmful effects on infants and family relationships. However, its low diagnostic rate (50%) limits the proper treatment of women suffering from this disorder. The identification of women who are at risk can be useful. Oxidative stress may be a risk factor for depression. Oxidative stress occurs when the production of reactive species exceeds the capacity of cellular antioxidant defenses to remove these toxic species. However, little is known about the peripheral oxidative stress in depressive disorder.

This study aimed to determine the relationship between oxidative stress during pregnancy and postpartum depression.

This prospective cohort study was conducted in the health centers affiliated to Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences from January to May 2017. Eighty pregnant women were assessed for serum total antioxidant capacity and Malondialdehyde levels at 38 - 40 weeks of pregnancy. They were also assessed for postpartum blues (using Maternity Blues Questionnaire of Stein) and postpartum depressive symptoms (using Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Rating Scale, EPDRS) on day 3 and at 4 - 6 weeks after delivery, respectively. The chi-square, Mann-Whitney, and linear regression were used to analyze the relationship between oxidative stress and depressive symptoms.

The prevalence of postpartum blues and postpartum depression was 45% and 27%, respectively. The mean serum total antioxidant capacity was significantly lower in the depression group (P < 0.05). There was a significant reverse correlation between serum total antioxidant capacity and EPDRS scores (P < 0.05).

The present study demonstrated a relationship between the serum total antioxidant capacity and postpartum depression.