Antenatal depression

Mental illness in fathers may increase the risk of preterm birth – new research

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, July 20, 2023
Association, Pregnancy, Depression, Mental disorder, DSM-IV codes, Schizophrenia, Gestational age, Spectrum, Parent, Social support, Prenatal care, PLOS Medicine, Woman, Research, Mother, Stress-related disorders, Death, Anxiety disorder, Post-traumatic stress disorder, Risk, Child, Epigenetics of anxiety and stress–related disorders, Preterm birth, Investor, Father, Antenatal depression, Diagnosis, Smoking, Mental health, Substance abuse, Nursing, Birth control, Residential care, Dietary supplement

But the risk of preterm birth can also be affected by a father’s mental health.

Key Points: 
  • But the risk of preterm birth can also be affected by a father’s mental health.
  • In our new study published in the journal PLOS Medicine, we found that fathers’ mental illness increases the risk of preterm birth and that the risk is even greater when both parents are affected.

1.5 million babies

    • We included data on 1.5 million infants born in Sweden between 1997 and 2016.
    • We obtained information about the parents’ mental health from the National Patient Register, which records all psychiatric diagnoses by clinical specialists in Sweden.
    • We ascertained length of pregnancies in weeks (gestational age) from the Medical Birth Register where all Swedish births are recorded.
    • Some 15% of the infants had at least one parent with a mental health disorder.

Why the link?

    • Our study demonstrates the significance of a father’s mental illness in the risk of preterm birth.
    • The underlying mechanism is likely to be complex – we can only really speculate on what is behind these trends.
    • Suffering from a mental illness, or having a partner with a mental illness, will probably be a source of stress for an expectant mother.

National Survey Shows 84 Percent of Women Admit to Doubting Their Health Choices During Pregnancy

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, April 23, 2019
Human reproduction, RTT, Women's health, Maternal health, Birth control, Family, Fertility, Pregnancy, Women, Antenatal depression, Teenage pregnancy

The survey found the "rules" of pregnancy have changed dramatically over time, which leaves soon-to-be moms having to decode the latest news and advice to determine how to best manage their health.

Key Points: 
  • The survey found the "rules" of pregnancy have changed dramatically over time, which leaves soon-to-be moms having to decode the latest news and advice to determine how to best manage their health.
  • In fact, more than one third (36 percent) of respondents feel that there's an overabundance of information shared during pregnancy.
  • One health decision that many pregnant women had to face was how to treat a yeast infection, which is as much as 10 times more likely to occur during pregnancy.
  • With so much to worry about during pregnancy, it is not surprising that women are concerned about the choices that they have to make about their health.

DANGEROUS COMBO: JVS reports depression and leg artery disease put patients at higher risk of amputation and death

Retrieved on: 
Monday, February 11, 2019
Depression, Psychiatry, Neuroscience, Major depressive disorder, Psychology, Antidepressant, Differential diagnoses of depression, Antenatal depression

This latest study not only reinforces the link between depression and PAD but suggests a link to the worst outcomes.

Key Points: 
  • This latest study not only reinforces the link between depression and PAD but suggests a link to the worst outcomes.
  • "Depression is an under-recognized risk factor for PAD," noted lead author Dr. S. Marlene Grenon.
  • "Our recent findings demonstrate that PAD patients with depression are at a higher risk of long-term death and amputation.
  • Depressed PAD patients who were not taking an anti-depressant had a 42 percent higher risk of amputation compared to those without depression; if they were taking medication for depression, their risk was lower but still represented a 10 percent higher risk of amputation compared to those patients without depression.