Postpartum depression Part 2. Biological treatment: practical aspects & safety issues. Review of the literature

Abstract

Introduction: Mother with postnatal depression is not able to adequately respond to the needs of her child. Maternal depression poses a serious health & safety risk for mother and child. They both need treatment with rapid onset of action and minimal influence on the infant.

Aim: Discussion of professional boards’ recommendations together with RCT results and clinical observations reffering to nursing depressed women with emphasis on practical aspects and future directions.

Methods: Discussion on postnatal depression treatment national guidelines and results from meta-analyses and systematic reviews found in Pubmed and Cochrane databases with "postanatal" or "postpartum" or "puerperium" and "depression" keywords. Selection of articles based on practical aspects of management.

Results: Despite its widespread use, the safety and efficacy of SSRIs in postpartum mood disorders have not yet been clearly confirmed. Long-term observation of behaviour and development of children after early exposure to SSRIs up to adulthood is necessary to fully assess the risk of antidepressant treatment in nursing mothers.

Conclusions: Pharmacotherapy remains the most accessible method of treating depression in the puerperal period, however, knowledge about the safety of antidepressants during lactation is still insufficient. Individualization of treatment depending on the patient's condition, specific needs, availabity of procedures and mental or physical comorbidity is necessary.