Dear Colleague,
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' (ACOG) Committee on Obstetric Practice has published an opinion piece that strongly encourages clinicians to screen for depression during and after pregnancy. The authors of the paper, published this month in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology, note that while there is currently not enough evidence on the efficacy of screening to issue a firm recommendation for universal screening and methods, the high rate of perinatal depression and availability of multiple screening tools warrant assessment and treatment, if necessary. ACOG president Gerald Joseph, MD, discussed the paper and his own personal recommendations for screening in an audio segment available at the medical news site MedPage Today.
Help for Women and Families in Haiti
The global response to the earthquake in Haiti has been tremendous, and there are now multiple humanitarian and charitable groups working to provide emergency support to that country. Another group that has worked with women and children in Haiti for years is MADRE, an international, community-based organization. MADRE is partnering with Zanmi Lasante clinic—Haiti's largest non-governmental health care clinic—and women's rights organizations to provide supplies and urgent medical care and to protect the human rights of women of Haiti and their children, now and long after rebuilding has begun.
Medical
Updates
Role of omega-3 Fatty acids for prevention or treatment of perinatal depression.
Borja-Hart NL, Marino J.
Pharmacotherapy. 2010 Feb;30(2):210-6.
This data analysis looked at seven clinical trials of omega-3 fatty acids for the prevention or treatment of perinatal depression.
Stability and change in levels of depression and personality: a follow-up study of postpartum depressed mothers that were hospitalized in a mother-infant unit.
Vliegen N, Luyten P, Besser A, Casalin S, Kempke S, Tang E.
J Nerv Ment Dis. 2010 Jan;198(1):45-51.
This prospective longitudinal study investigated the role of the personality dimensions of dependency and self-criticism in a sample of inpatient severely postpartum depressed mothers.
Changes in antidepressant metabolism in pregnancy evidenced by metabolic ratios in hair: A novel approach.
O'Brien L, Baumer C, Thieme D, Sachs H, Koren G.
Forensic Sci Int. 2010 Jan 7. [Epub ahead of print]
For pregnant women, physiological changes of pregnancy may alter the pharmacokinetics of medications and ultimately affect the dose required to maintain effective therapy. Testing human hair is a safe, non-invasive way to monitor long term systemic exposures to medications.
View More»
In
The
News
Yes to postpartum screening
Boston Globe, February 1, 2010
The Boston Globe is endorsing a state bill that would mandate postpartum depression screening for new mothers.
Acting Gov. Codey signs law creating Postpartum Depression Awareness Day in New Jersey
New Jersey Newsroom.com, January 9, 2010
October 20th is now Postpartum Depression Awareness Day in New Jersey. Senate president Richard Codey and Assemblywoman Mila Jasey of Essex County co-sponsored the resolution.
Baby Blues--A Search beyond Neurons
Psychology Today.com, December 27, 2009
A new study investigating blood samples taken from women diagnosed with postpartum depression found that different genes were switched on in white blood cells from mothers with postpartum depression compared with blood cells from healthy new mothers.
View More» |
|
Events
Calendar
North American Society for Psychosocial Obstetrics and Gynecology 36th Annual Meeting
When: February 10-13
Where: Richmond, VA
35th Annual Perinatal Nursing Conference: Healthy Moms and Healthy Babies 2010
When: February 11-12
Where: Oak Brook, IL
2nd Annual Jenny's Light 5K Charity Run
When: March 7
Where: Los Gatos, CA
Med
Ed
Resources
Postpartum Support International
Postpartum Support International (PSI) is an international network which focuses on postpartum mental health and social support. PSI Chat with an Expert: Every Wednesday (for women) and Monday (for men), up to 15 callers can chat with an expert facilitator and one another about coping, or helping a loved one cope, with PPD.
EmpowHer: Postpartum Depression
Women can share and view personal video stories about PPD and learn about news, events, and information from experts.
National Institute of Nursing Research
The National Institute of Nursing Research supports clinical and basic research to establish a scientific basis for the care of individuals across the life span.
This
Month's
Poll
As a health care provider, are you in favor of a public insurance option as part of national health care reform?
To participate in this month's poll click HERE.
Spread
The
Word
Click here to tell a colleague.
MedEdPPD.org
Newsletter
Archives
Missed last month's newsletter? Click here for a list of our previous newsletters.
|
|
