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Serum allopregnanolone in women with postpartum "blues"

Nappi RE et al., 2001

Obstetrics and gynecology, 97(1), 77-80

DOI 10.1016/s0029-7844(00)01112-1 PMID 11152912 Source

Abstract

Objective

To relate serum allopregnanolone and progesterone levels postpartum to maternity "blues."

Methods

Forty primiparous, healthy, married women (24-39 years of age; at least 13 years of education) who delivered healthy neonates in the Department of Obstetrics at the University of Pavia entered the present study. Blood samples were drawn at 8:30 AM on postpartum day 3 for measurements of serum allopregnanolone, progesterone, cortisol, prolactin, and estradiol. On the same day, every woman was interviewed using the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression for psychometric testing and completed a self-administered version of the Stein Questionnaire for symptoms of the "blues."

Results

Eighteen of 40 women (45%) experienced maternity "blues" (12 who delivered vaginally and six who delivered by cesarean). Serum allopregnanolone levels were significantly lower in those women experiencing postpartum "blues" with respect to euthymic women (1.1 +/- 0.4 versus 2.3 +/- 1.0 nmol/L; P .058). Allopregnanolone and progesterone levels correlated significantly in euthymic women (r =.648; P =.001) but not in those with postpartum "blues" (r =.317; P =.199). There was a significant negative correlation between the Hamilton score and levels of serum allopregnanolone (r = -.62; P =.001) and progesterone (r = -.36; P =.024).

Conclusion

Serum allopregnanolone levels were detectable postpartum and were significantly decreased in women with maternity "blues."

Topics

Pregnancy > Postpartum > DepressionReproductive Endocrinology > Progesterone > PhysiologyDiagnostics > Hormone Assays > Progesterone
postpartum blues allopregnanolone, maternity blues progesterone levels, postpartum depression hormones day 3, allopregnanolone postpartum mood, progesterone metabolites postpartum blues, neurosteroids postpartum depression, hormonal changes early postpartum mood, baby blues hormone correlation, postpartum progesterone mood disorders, allopregnanolone deficiency postpartum, third day postpartum mood hormones, hamilton scale postpartum blues hormones

Cite this article

Nappi, R. E., Petraglia, F., Luisi, S., Polatti, F., Farina, C., & Genazzani, A. R. (2001). Serum allopregnanolone in women with postpartum "blues". *Obstetrics and gynecology*, *97*(1), 77-80. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0029-7844(00)01112-1

Keywords

Adult, Biomarkers, Depression, Postpartum, Female, Humans, Pregnanolone, Progesterone, Prospective Studies

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