Abstract
This study aims to investigate hospital admission of major depressive disorders (MDD) before and after birth. Population data
for all primiparous women admitted to the hospital with depressive disorders before and after birth were used. The comparison
group consisted of 10 % of primiparous women not admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder or substance
use. A total of 728 women had a first admission with depressive disorders (501 in the first postpartum year). The rate of
first hospital admission for depressive disorders decreased during pregnancy and increased markedly in the first three months
after birth (peaking in the second month with a rate of 10.74/1,000 person year and rate ratio of 12.56) compared with the
6 months prior to pregnancy. Admission remained elevated in the second postpartum year. Older maternal age, smoking, elective
caesarian section and admission to a neonatal intensive care unit or special care nursery were associated with a higher rate
of admission. Women born outside Australia and those most socioeconomically disadvantaged were less likely to be admitted
to the hospital in the first postpartum year. Overall risk of hospital admission with depressive disorders rose significantly
across the entire first postpartum year. This has significant implications for policy and service planning for women with mood disorders in the perinatal period.
for all primiparous women admitted to the hospital with depressive disorders before and after birth were used. The comparison
group consisted of 10 % of primiparous women not admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder or substance
use. A total of 728 women had a first admission with depressive disorders (501 in the first postpartum year). The rate of
first hospital admission for depressive disorders decreased during pregnancy and increased markedly in the first three months
after birth (peaking in the second month with a rate of 10.74/1,000 person year and rate ratio of 12.56) compared with the
6 months prior to pregnancy. Admission remained elevated in the second postpartum year. Older maternal age, smoking, elective
caesarian section and admission to a neonatal intensive care unit or special care nursery were associated with a higher rate
of admission. Women born outside Australia and those most socioeconomically disadvantaged were less likely to be admitted
to the hospital in the first postpartum year. Overall risk of hospital admission with depressive disorders rose significantly
across the entire first postpartum year. This has significant implications for policy and service planning for women with mood disorders in the perinatal period.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Article
- Pages 1-9
- DOI 10.1007/s00737-012-0289-8
- Authors
- Fenglian Xu, Perinatal and Reproductive Epidemiology Research Unit, School of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of New South Wales, Level 2, McNevin Dickson Building, Gate 6, Avoca Street, Randwick Hospitals Campus, Randwick, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia
- Marie-Paule Austin, Perinatal and Women’s Mental Health Unit, St John of God Health Care and School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Burwood, Sydney, NSW 2134, Australia
- Nicole Reilly, Perinatal and Women’s Mental Health Unit, St John of God Health Care and School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Burwood, Sydney, NSW 2134, Australia
- Lisa Hilder, Perinatal and Reproductive Epidemiology Research Unit, School of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of New South Wales, Level 2, McNevin Dickson Building, Gate 6, Avoca Street, Randwick Hospitals Campus, Randwick, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia
- Elizabeth A. Sullivan, Perinatal and Reproductive Epidemiology Research Unit, School of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of New South Wales, Level 2, McNevin Dickson Building, Gate 6, Avoca Street, Randwick Hospitals Campus, Randwick, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia
- Journal Archives of Women’s Mental Health
- Online ISSN 1435-1102
- Print ISSN 1434-1816