Depression during Pregnancy : light, seasons and sleep

This thesis focuses on depression during pregnancy, with a special focus on the effects of light, seasons and sleep

Prescription patterns of benzodiazepine and benzodiazepine-related drugs in the peripartum period: A population-based study

Using prescription drugs during pregnancy is challenging and approached with caution. In this study, we present population-based information on prescription patterns of benzodiazepines and benzodiazepine-related drugs in the peripartum period. A population-based study of 1,154,817 pregnancies between 1997 and 2015 in Denmark, of which 205,406 (17.8%) pregnancies in women with a psychiatric history. Prescription drugs starting with Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical codes N05BA, N05CD, and N05CF from 12 months before pregnancy to 12 months following pregnancy were identified. We used generalised estimating equations to estimate the adjusted 5 year risk difference in the proportion of women redeeming benzodiazepines from 1 year to 5 years after. Logistic regression was used to analyze the association between characteristics and discontinuation of benzodiazepines during pregnancy. The prevalence of benzodiazepine prescriptions was 1.9% before pregnancy, 0.6% during pregnancy, and 1.3% after pregnancy. In women with a psychiatric history, the prevalence was 5–6 times higher. A significant decrease in prescriptions to women with a psychiatric history was observed, which was less profound among women with no psychiatric history. Approximately 90% of women discontinue benzodiazepines during pregnancy, with a higher percentage of women discontinuing from 1997 to 2015. The observed decrease is likely explained by changing treatment guidelines

The international prevalence of antidepressant use before, during, and after pregnancy: A systematic review and meta-analysis of timing, type of prescriptions and geographical variability

Background: Antidepressant use during pregnancy has increased over the last decades, while safety has been under debate. Our aim was to measure the international prevalence of antidepressant use before, during, and after pregnancy and examine timing, type of prescriptions and geographic variability. Methods: We searched Embase, Medline Ovid, Web of Science, Cochrane Central and Google Scholar from their inception until February 19, 2019. We determined pooled prevalence estimates of antidepressants before, during, and after pregnancy, as well as stratified according to substantive variables. Results: We identified 40 cohorts from 15 countries, together reporting on 14,072,251 pregnancies. Included studies had a low risk of bias, often reporting on large representative cohorts. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) were the most commonly used antidepressants dur

Well being of obstetric patients on minimal blood transfusions (WOMB trial)

Background: Primary postpartum haemorrhage is an obstetrical emergency often causing acute anaemia that may require immediate red blood cell (RBC) transfusion. This anaemia results in symptoms such as fatigue, whic

Bright light therapy in pregnant women with major depressive disorder: Study protocol for a randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial

Background: Depression during pregnancy is a common and high impact disease. Generally, 5-10 % of pregnant women suffer from depression. Children who have been exposed to maternal depression during pregnancy have a higher risk of adverse birth outcomes and more often show cognitive, emotional and behavioural problems. Therefore, early detection and treatment of antepartum depression is necessary. Both psychotherapy and antidepressant medication, first choice treatments in a non-pregnant population, have limitations in treating depression during pregnancy. Therefore, it is urgent and relevant to investigate alternative treatments for antepartum depression. Bright light therapy (BLT) is a promising treatment for pregnant women with depressive disorder, for it combines direct availability, sufficient efficacy, low costs and high safety, taking the safety for the unborn child into account as well. Methods: In this study, 150 pregnant women (12-18 weeks pregnant) with a DSM-V diagnosis of depressive disorder will be randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to one of the two treatment arms: treatment with BLT (9.000 lux) or treatment with dim red light therapy (100 lux). Both groups will be treated for 6 weeks at home on a daily basis for 30 min, within 30 min of habitual wake-up time. Follow-up will take place after 6 weeks of therapy, 3 and 10 weeks after end of therapy, at birth and 2, 6 and 18 months postpartum. Primary outcome will be the average change in depressive symptoms between the two groups, as measured by the Structured Interview Guide for the Hamilton Depression Scale - Seasonal Affective Disorder version and the Edinburg Postnatal Depression Scale. Changes in rating scale scores of these questionnaires over time will be analysed using generalized linear mixed models. Secondary outcomes will be the changes in maternal cortisol and melatonin levels, in maternal sleep quality and gestational age, birth weight, infant behaviour, infant cortisol exposure and infant cortisol stress response. Discussion: If BLT reduces depressive symptoms in pregnant women, it will provide a safe, cheap, non-pharmacological and efficacious alternative treatment for psychotherapy and antidepressant medication in treating antepartum depression, without any expected adverse reactions for the unborn child. Trial registration: Netherlands Trial Register NTR5476. Registered 5 November 2015

beta-Amyloid Precursor Protein and Ubiquitin Cross Mark Immunohistochemistry Aid in the Evaluation of Infant Autopsy Eyes With Abusive Head Trauma

PURPOSE: To investigate beta-amyloid precursor protein (beta-APP), ubiquitin, and glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) immunostaining as a diagnostic tool to aid in the discrimination between abusive head trauma and nonabusive head trauma in postmortem ocular histopathologic investigation. DESIGN: Retrospective cross-sectional study. METHODS: Seventy-four eyes of 37 infants were studied for hemorrhage and immunohistochemical expression of beta-APP, ubiquitin, and GFAP in the retina and optic nerve. Infants were assigned to abusive head trauma or control groups, according to published criteria. RESULTS: In the abusive head trauma group, positive beta-APP and ubiquitin immunostaining of the retina was significantly more likely to be found than in the control group, odds ratio (OR) 11.4, confidence interval (CI) 2.9-44.3; P < .001 and OR 8.8, CI 2.2-34.5; P = .002, respectively. Positive correlations were found between retinal expression of beta-APP and ubiquitin immunostaining and retinal hemorrhage. Vitreal hemorrhages, orbital fat hemorrhages, and macular folds could only be identified in abusive head trauma cases. Retinal hemorrhages were significantly more severe, occupied a larger proportion of the retina, and involved more retinal layers in abusive head trauma compared to controls (OR 2.7, CI 1.7-4.4; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows correlations between positive retinal beta-APP and ubiquitin immunostaining as a sign of axonal injury in abusive head trauma. Axonal injury is a useful pathologic feature that can be demonstrated in postmortem ocular investigation of deceased children using immunohistochemical staining for beta-APP and ubiquitin with a high OR for abusive head trauma when compared to controls. (C) 2015, by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

beta-Amyloid Precursor Protein and Ubiquitin Cross Mark Immunohistochemistry Aid in the Evaluation of Infant Autopsy Eyes With Abusive Head Trauma

PURPOSE: To investigate beta-amyloid precursor protein (beta-APP), ubiquitin, and glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) immunostaining as a diagnostic tool to aid in the discrimination between abusive head trauma and nonabusive head trauma in postmortem ocular histopathologic investigation. DESIGN: Retrospective cross-sectional study. METHODS: Seventy-four eyes of 37 infants were studied for hemorrhage and immunohistochemical expression of beta-APP, ubiquitin, and GFAP in the retina and optic nerve. Infants were assigned to abusive head trauma or control groups, according to published criteria. RESULTS: In the abusive head trauma group, positive beta-APP and ubiquitin immunostaining of the retina was significantly more likely to be found than in the control group, odds ratio (OR) 11.4, confidence interval (CI) 2.9-44.3; P < .001 and OR 8.8, CI 2.2-34.5; P = .002, respectively. Positive correlations were found between retinal expression of beta-APP and ubiquitin immunostaining and retinal hemorrhage. Vitreal hemorrhages, orbital fat hemorrhages, and macular folds could only be identified in abusive head trauma cases. Retinal hemorrhages were significantly more severe, occupied a larger proportion of the retina, and involved more retinal layers in abusive head trauma compared to controls (OR 2.7, CI 1.7-4.4; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows correlations between positive retinal beta-APP and ubiquitin immunostaining as a sign of axonal injury in abusive head trauma. Axonal injury is a useful pathologic feature that can be demonstrated in postmortem ocular investigation of deceased children using immunohistochemical staining for beta-APP and ubiquitin with a high OR for abusive head trauma when compared to controls. (C) 2015, by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Stimulating the Uptake of Preconception Care by Women With a Vulnerable Health Status Through mHealth App–Based Nudging (Pregnant Faster):Cocreation Design and Protocol for a Cohort Study

Background: Women with a low socioeconomic status often have a vulnerable health status due to an accumulation of health-deteriorating factors such as poor lifestyle behaviors, including inadequate nutrition, mental stressors, and impaired health literacy and agency, which puts them at an unnecessary high risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Adequately preparing for pregnancy through preconception care (PCC) uptake and lifestyle improvement can improve these outcomes. We hypothesize that nudging is a successful way of encouraging engagement in PCC. A nudge is a behavioral intervention that changes choice behavior through influencing incentives. The mobile health (mHealth) app–based loyalty program Pregnant Faster aims to reward women in an ethically justified way and nudges to engage in pregnancy preparation by visiting a PCC consultation. Objective: Here, we first describe the process of the cocreation of the mHealth app Pregnant Faster that aims to increase engagement in pregnancy preparation by women with a vulnerable health status. Second, we describe the cohort study design to assess the feasibility of Pregnant Faster. Methods: The content of the app is based on the eHealth lifestyle coaching program Smarter Pregnancy, which has proven to be effective in ameliorating preconceptional lifestyle behaviors (folic acid, vegetables, fruits, smoking, and alcohol) and an interview study pertaining to the preferences of the target group with regard to an mHealth app stimulating PCC uptake. For moral guidance on the design, an ethical framework was developed based on the bioethical principles of Beauchamp and Childress. The app was further developed through iterative cocreation with the target group and health care providers. For 4 weeks, participants will engage with Pregnant Faster, during which opportunities will arise to earn coins such as reading informative blogs and registering for a PCC consultation. Coins can be spent on small fun rewards, such as folic acid, fruits, and mascara. Pregnant Faster’s feasibility will be tested in a study including 40 women aged 18 to 45 years, who are preconceptional or &lt;8 weeks pregnant, with a low educational level, and living in a deprived neighborhood. The latter 2 factors will serve as a proxy of a low socioeconomic status. Recruitment will take place through flyers, social media, and health care practices. After finalization, participants will evaluate the app through the “mHealth App Usability Questionnaire” and additional interviews or questionnaires.Results: Results are expected to be published by December 2023. Conclusions: Pregnant Faster has been designed through iterative cocreation with the target group and health care professionals. With the designed study, we will test Pregnant Faster’s feasibility. If overall user satisfaction and PCC uptake is achieved, the app will be further developed and the cohort will be continued with an additional 400 inclusions to establish effectiveness.</p