Relationship between psychological state and urinary catecholamines and serotonin in 1-month postpartum mothers

Abstract

Purpose In postpartum mental health, postpartum depression is a serious disorder. In Japan, the Japanese version of Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) has been used to screen for postpartum depression, but it has not screened all mothers at risk. Therefore, we examined objective indicators that reflect the psychological state of the mother, which can be used in conjunction with the EPDS to accurately screen mothers at risk. This study examined the relationship between maternal psychological status and urinary catecholamines and serotonin at 1-month postpartum. Methods We used the EPDS and Profile of Mood States Second Edition (POMS-2) to measure mothers' postpartum psychological state. Analysis was conducted on 94 women at their 1-month postpartum checkup in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. Psychological state and biological state and background factors were analyzed using logistic regression analysis and multiple regression analysis. Urinary catecholamines and serotonin were measured as stress response and depression indicators. Background factors were age, parity, delivery method, support, and lactation status. Results Higher urinary noradrenaline levels were associated with an EPDS score. Lack of husband support was associated with higher POMS-2 Total Mood Disturbance, Confusion-Bewilderment, and Depression-Dejection scores. In addition, first-time mothers had higher Tension-Anxiety scores on POMS-2, and mothers using formula milk or mixed feeding scored higher on Confusion-Bewilderment. Conclusion These results suggest that urinary noradrenaline reflects postpartum maternal depression. In addition, the husband's support, being primipara, and breastfeeding were associated with better mental health for mothers.