Postpartum depression update

Abstract

Introduction: Postpartum depression is a postpartum depressive disorder with a worldwide prevalence of 10-20%, being the most frequent diagnosis in the postpartum period. This disease must be differentiated from postpartum psychosis and postpartum sadness whose characteristics and therapeutic approach will be different.

Objective: To know the current state of postpartum depression according to published literature.

Method: Bibliographic review in databases SCIELO, Cochrane Plus Library, PUBMED, IME of studies published between 2011 and 2016.

Results: Postpartum depression is characterized by depressed mood and anhedonia and / or altered personal functioning. Within the appropriate diagnosis, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale is specific for the puerperium. Although the etiology is unknown, multiple risk factors as well as protective factors are known. This disease causes great harm to both the mother and the child both in the short and long term and their treatment will be based on the combination of psychological and pharmacological therapy.

Conclusion: In the future, more extensive studies will be needed to determine the effect of the drugs on breastfeeding and on the mother-child bond. It seems that psychological therapies can improve the mother-child relationship especially group interventions, home visits and individual psychological interventions.