A family history of psychiatric disorders may double the risk of postpartum depression within a year of delivery, suggests a new study from Denmark published in JAMA Psychiatry.¹

In a systematic review and meta-analysis, Danish researchers set out to investigate the odds of postpartum depression among mothers with a family history of psychiatric disorders compared to mothers with a negative family history. Following literature search (in September 2021 and updated in March 2022), 26 studies involving 100,877 women were finally included in this meta-analysis.

The risk of developing postpartum depression increased 2-folds among mothers who had a positive family history of psychiatric disorders with odds ratio of 2.08 and a risk ratio of 1.79.

This meta-analysis provides a moderate certainty of evidence, as per GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation), of higher risk of postpartum depression among women with a family history of psychiatric disorders suggesting positive family history as a risk factor for postpartum depression. Routine antenatal care should therefore also include screening for both personal as well as family history of psychiatric disorders.

Reference

1. Zacher Kjeldsen MM, et al. Family history of psychiatric disorders as a risk factor for maternal postpartum depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Psychiatry. 2022 Aug 17. doi: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2022.240.