Probable postpartum hypomania and depression in a South African cohort

The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of, and factors associated with, postpartum hypomania (PPH) and postpartum depression (PPD) in a South African sample. Data from 57 women were analysed as part of a larger prospective study of maternal stress in pregnancy. On day 3 postpartum, women were assessed for probable PPH using the Highs scale. On day 3 and at week 6, probable PPD was assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), while social support was evaluated using the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). PPH was present in 49.1% of the participants at day 3 postpartum whilst PPD was present in 33.3% of participants on day 3 postpartum and in 45.6% at week 6. Participants meeting the clinical cut-off for both PPH and PPD on day 3 (17.5%) had significantly higher depression scores at week 6 than those with only PPH (p = 0.010) or only PPD (p = 0.035) on day 3. Depression scores on day 3 and lower social support scores at week 6 were predictive of PPD at week 6. Consistent with findings in other settings, early-onset PPD and poor social support were predictive of persisting PPD (i.e. at week 6). Women meeting criteria for both PPH and PPD on day 3 had greater depressive symptomatology at week 6. This may be indicative of an underlying bipolar disorder and warrants further investigation.