New research published in the American Journal of Reproductive Immunology demonstrated that women who experience persistent mental health issues up to three years after giving birth might experience abnormal immune system responses.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports state that 1 in every 8 women exhibit substantial perinatal mood and anxiety disorder symptoms, affecting their general health, everyday activities, and family life. The perinatal period and the year immediately following childbirth have received a lot of attention in the studies on maternal mental health to date.

This research aims to develop a blood test that would identify which women are most susceptible to severe and protracted postpartum mood problems. Researchers surveyed 33 women about their mental health two to three years after giving birth and collected their blood samples which were used for bioinformatic studies of altered gene expression.

The findings demonstrated genetic evidence of a higher prevalence of immune system defense mechanism activation in women with clinically heightened symptoms of depression, anxiety, and/or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) two to three years following birth. Additionally, findings indicated that the activity of genes linked to immunological responses that can protect the body from infections was decreased in these women.

Experts further stated that they had found genetic variations linked to inflammation when comparing women with persistent symptoms of mood and anxiety disorders to those who did not report poor mental health. More studies were necessary to investigate the potential connection between inflammation and postpartum mental disorder.

(Source: https://theprint.in/health/study-suggests-women-with-postpartum-mood-disorders-might-have-immune-system-irregularities/1250280/)