European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

A STUDY OF MATERNAL PLASMA OXYTOCIN LEVEL AND POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION IN LOW RISK PREGNANT POPULATION: A NESTED CASE-CONTROL STUDY

Nasrin Fatima*, Anshuja Singla, Edelbert Anthonio Almeida, M. S. Bhatia and Sandhya Jain

ABSTRACT

Objectives: To study the correlation between plasma oxytocin levels and Postpartum depression (PPD) among low risk pregnant population. Methods: After proper history, 2 ml of blood was collected from each patient. These women were followed up and assessed for PPD at 2 and 6 weeks postpartum using Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and further confirmed by psychiatrist. Those with score ≥10 were taken as cases (n=30) and score <10 were taken as controls (n=30). Plasma oxytocin levels were estimated and compared between the two groups using the antenatal blood samples. Results: The mean level of plasma oxytocin in the cases was 247.63±51.45 pg/ml and in controls was 286.31±49.82 pg/ml. Statistical significant association between plasma oxytocin levels and PPD was found (p=0.005). Nuclear family, higher number of living children, pressure to have a male child, multigravidity and a previous female child were significantly associated with PPD. Caesarean section and longer hospital stay were also significantly associated with PPD. Significant difference was found between breastfeeding activities among women with and without PPD. Conclusion: Women with lower plasma oxytocin levels at 34-36 weeks of gestation are prone to develop PPD. Measuring plasma oxytocin levels at 34-36 weeks of gestation in women with the risk factors for PPD can help to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality and the burden of the disease.

Keywords: Postpartum depression, Plasma oxytocin levels, Risk factors.