ECHO Cohort Researchers Find Association Between Some Prenatal Chemical Exposures and Postpartum Depression

Authors: Melanie Jacobson, et al.

Who sponsored this study?

The Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program, Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health supported this research.

Why was this study needed?

Postpartum depression affects up to 20% of new mothers, making it the most common pregnancy complication to occur after delivery. Postpartum depression can impact a mother’s daily functioning, quality of life, and long-term health. Furthermore, it is associated with poor mother-child attachment, which can impact child health and development.

Factors like genetics and stress can make some people more likely to experience postpartum depression, but researchers are still trying to understand how synthetic chemicals might also play a role. Chemicals such as phenols, phthalates, and parabens can be found in plastics and personal care products. While these chemicals are nonpersistent, meaning that they don’t linger in the environment, their presence is widespread due to frequent exposure through diet, absorption through skin, and inhalation. The investigators in this study wanted to examine the extent to which exposure to these chemicals might be associated with postpartum depression symptoms.

What were the study results?

Prenatal phthalate concentrations were associated with increased odds of slightly higher postpartum depression scores, and the condition was observed to be more likely in people who were Hispanic, had lower education levels, and had prenatal depression.

Footnote: Results reported here are for a single study. Other or future studies may provide new information or different results. You should not make changes to your health without first consulting your healthcare professional.

What was the study's impact?

Of the many synthetic chemicals investigated, only prenatal phthalate concentrations were associated with increased odds of postpartum depression. This suggests that finding ways to reduce prenatal exposure to phthalates might reduce the frequency of postpartum depression.

Who was involved?

Researchers used data from 2,174 pregnant individuals across five study sites. This information included data on urinary chemical concentrations from at least one point during the pregnancy and a self-reported postnatal depression assessment between two weeks and 12 months after delivery.

What happened during the study?

Researchers measured the concentrations of nonpersistent chemicals in urine samples. Researchers also collected, between two weeks and 12 months after delivery, data using self-reported postnatal depression assessments completed by the same individuals. Screening instruments indicated the presence or absence of postnatal depressive symptoms. Data was then harmonized to the Patient-Reported Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Depression scale.

What happens next?

While this is believed to be the largest study to-date examining the effects of environmental chemicals on postpartum depression, future studies are needed to replicate this research with larger sample sizes in diverse populations.

Where can I learn more?

Access the full journal article, titled “Prenatal exposure to nonpersistent environmental chemicals and postpartum depression,” in JAMA Psychiatry.

The content is the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

Published September 20, 2023

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