The association of stillbirth with depressive symptoms 6-36 months post-delivery

Carol J.R. Hogue, Corette B. Parker, Marian Willinger, Jeff R. Temple, Carla M. Bann, Robert M. Silver, Donald J. Dudley, Janet L. Moore, Donald R. Coustan, Barbara J. Stoll, Uma M. Reddy, Michael W. Varner, George R. Saade, Deborah Conway, Robert L. Goldenberg

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background Stillbirths (>20 weeks' gestation), which account for about 1 in 200 US pregnancies, may grieve parents deeply. Unresolved grief may lead to persistent depression. Methods We compared depressive symptoms in 2009 (6-36 months after index delivery) among consenting women in the Stillbirth Collaborative Research Network's population-based case-control study conducted 2006-08 (n=275 who delivered a stillbirth and n=522 who delivered a healthy livebirth (excluding livebirths<37 weeks, infants who had been admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit or who died). Women scoring>12 on the Edinburgh Depression Scale were classified as currently depressed. Crude (cOR) and adjusted (aOR) odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals [CI] were computed from univariate and multivariable logistic models, with weighting for study design and differential consent. Marginal structural models examined potential selection bias due to low follow-up. Results Current depression was more likely in women with stillbirth (14.8%) vs. healthy livebirth (8.3%, cOR 1.90 [95% CI 1.20, 3.02]). However, after control for history of depression and factors associated with both depression and stillbirth, the stillbirth association was no longer significant (aOR 1.35 [95% CI 0.79, 2.30]). Conversely, for the 76% of women with no history of depression, a significant association remained after adjustment for confounders (aOR 1.98 [95% CI 1.02, 3.82]). Conclusions Improved screening for depression and referral may be needed for women's health care. Research should focus on defining optimal methods for support of women suffering stillbirth so as to lower the risk of subsequent depression.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)131-143
Number of pages13
JournalPaediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology
Volume29
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1 2015

Keywords

  • African Americans
  • depression
  • follow-up studies
  • grief
  • Stillbirth

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Epidemiology
  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health

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