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Women at higher risk for depression after stillborn delivery

Women with no previous history of depression may be at increased risk for developing depressive symptoms 6 to 36 months post-stillbirth delivery, according to a study published in Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology. 

“Stillbirth imposes a substantial, immediate burden of grief,” Carol J.R. Hogue, PhD, MPH, of Emory University School of Public Health and School of Medicine, Atlanta, Ga., and colleagues wrote. “While symptoms of depression may be ‘normal’ expressions of this grief, depressive symptoms that do not resolve into mourning […] within 6 months of the loss can become persistent and debilitating.”

Carol J.R. Hogue

Researchers analyzed whether depression was more prevalent among women who had a stillbirth compared to women with a healthy live birth. They telephoned 797 women (275 stillbirths, 522 live births) enrolled in the Stillbirth Collaborative Research Network between 2006 and 2008 anywhere from 6 months to 3 years after participants enrolled in the study.

Results demonstrated that while depression at the time of follow up was more likely in women with stillbirth (14.8%) compared to women with healthy live birth (8.3%), when controlling for history of depression and additional influences connected to depression and stillbirth, the association with stillbirth was no longer significant (aOR = 1.35; 95% CI, 0.79-2.30). Women who had never been depressed had a 3-fold risk of developing depression more than 2 years after a stillbirth.

Woman can be screened at least 3 years postpartum and assessed for lack of support from the father and family to identify those who are at an increased risk for extended grieving, the researchers said.

“Further studies should focus on defining optimal methods for the emotional management of women suffering from stillbirth so as to lower the risk of subsequent depression,” Hogue and colleagues said.

Disclosure: The researchers report receiving a grant from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and the NIH and additional funding from the Office of Research in Women’s Health at NIH. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.