Higher Temperatures Increase Risk for Postpartum Depression
By Lori Solomon HealthDay Reporter
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 11, 2024 -- Maternal exposure to higher temperatures during the postpartum period is associated with an increased risk for postpartum depression (PPD), according to a study published online Nov. 27 in Environmental Health Perspectives.
Yi Sun, Ph.D., from the Joe C. Wen School of Population & Public Health at the University of California, Irvine, and colleagues examined the associations between postpartum temperature exposure and PPD. The analysis included data from 429,839 pregnancies identified from Kaiser Permanente Southern California electronic health records (2008 through 2018).
The researchers identified 46,114 PPD cases (10.7 percent), with a positive association between increased PPD risks and exposure to higher mean temperature (adjusted odds ratio per interquartile range increment, 1.07) and diurnal temperature range (adjusted odds ratio, 1.08). The associations were stronger for maximum temperature than for minimum temperature. Greater temperature-related PPD risks were seen among African American, Asian, and Hispanic mothers, as well as among mothers 25 years of age and older. Greater effects of temperature on PPD were also seen among mothers exposed to higher air pollution or lower green space levels and among mothers with lower air conditioning penetration rates.
"Continued research into the mechanisms regarding temperature and PPD and the effect modification of environmental factors and climate adaptation strategies is warranted to help improve maternal mental health," the authors write.
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.
© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Posted December 2024
Read this next
Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy in Primary Care Tied to Reduced Depressive Symptoms
MONDAY, March 24, 2025 -- Gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) in primary care is associated with lower rates of moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms in U.S. transgender...
Total Injury Death Rate Increased From 2013 to 2021, Followed by Decline
THURSDAY, March 20, 2025 -- The total injury death rate in the United States increased from 2013 through 2021, then declined through 2023, according to a March data brief...
Music-Based Interventions May Help Short-Term Depression, Behavior With Dementia
TUESDAY, March 11, 2025 -- Music-based therapeutic interventions may improve depressive symptoms and overall behavioral problems in the short term for people with dementia...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.