Fæðingarþunglyndi : algengi, afleiðingar og helstu áhættuþættir

Abstract

In the past years many studies on postpartum depression have been published. The prevalence of postpartum depression has been reported from 10-15% which is similar to the prevalence of depression in non-pregnant women at the same age. The symptoms of postpartum depression are the same as in major depression but according to DSM-IV-TR they have to appear within four weeks after delivery. However, experts do not agree on that criterion. Many women with postpartum depression suffer from anxiety but only few researchers have focused on the symptoms of anxiety. There is also little research on depression and anxiety during pregnancy, although they are main risk factors for postpartum depression. Other risk factors for postpartum depression are similar to risk factors for major depression and only few studies have been able to show a relationship between postpartum depression and the hormonal changes that occur after childbirth. Therefore the aetiology of postpartum depression remains unclear and many questions are still to be answered. Three years ago an Icelandic longitudinal study was initiated in which some of these questions will be answered and preliminary results are expected within a year.