Diabetes May Double Risk of Perinatal Depression

Pregnant women and new mothers that have diabetes, whether the diabetes was discovered during pregnancy or before, are twice as likely to experience depression than women who do not have diabetes (Kozhimannil, 2009).

The authors reviewed the medical records of 11,024 low-income women who delivered in New Jersey between 2004-2006. 657 women had diabetes. 15% of those with diabetes had or developed depression, whereas only 8% of women without diabetes had or developed depression.

Perinatal depression (i.e. depression "around" the time of giving birth) is under-diagnosed and, therefore, inadequately treated. Clinicians, family members and expecting and new mothers should be aware of this risk and pay particular attention to evolving mental health issues - especially in women with diabetes.

Read article abstract HERE.

Reference:
Kozhimannil KB, Pereira MA, Harlow BL. Association between diabetes and perinatal depression. JAMA 2009 Feb 25;301(8):842-7