Research Paper
POST PARTUM DEPRESSION - A PROSPECTIVE STUDY IN URBAN SOUTH INDIAN WOMEN
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a clinical term that refers to a treatable mood disorder that may begin 24 hours after childbirth or several months postpartum but typically has an onset between two to six weeks postpartum. Postpartum depression has adverse effects on the socio-emotional and cognitive development of the children.This prospective study was undertaken to study the incidence of post partum depression in an urban and area in South India. A total of 528 postnatal women were included in the study.A detailed history was obtained in the postnatal ward. Mothers were initially asked to attend the postnatal clinic at 2 weeks postpartum and was administered the standardized questionnaire of Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale3 and the observer rated Hamilton Depression Rating Scale 4 in the local language (Tamil). Mothers diagnosed to be depressed were given supportive therapy with the help of the Department of Psychiatry. Subsequent follow ups were at 2 months and 6 months postpartum to coincide with the immunization schedule of the baby and both the scales were administered. Summarizing the results it is seen that age, gravidity, educational status, husbands occupation and socio-economic status have no relation with PPD. Nuclear family type, cesarean section, female gender of the baby, multiple pregnancy, single marital status, mother in law as caretaker and family history of depression have a statistically significant risk of developing PPD.
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