Giving mums medical ketamine after birth reduces risk of postnatal depression, landmark study finds

GIVING mothers a ketamine-like drug immediately after birth reduces their risk of depression, a study shows.

Esketamine — which is made from the party drug — should be offered to women who are at risk of the blues after pregnancy, Chinese researchers said.

GettyEsketamine can help reduce new mothers’ risk of postnatal depression, a study shows[/caption]

They estimated that one major depressive episode can be avoided in every five mums given the drug.

Dr Shuo Wang, of Peking University First Hospital, said: “A single low dose of esketamine after childbirth decreases major depressive episodes by about three quarters.

“The antidepressant effect of low dose esketamine seems to last longer in mothers with prenatal depression than in the general population with depression.”

Prenatal depression — also known as antenatal depression — is a common condition that affects around one in 10 pregnant women.

It causes bad moods, irritability and a loss of interest in other people and the world around you.

If left untreated, symptoms can get worse and continue after the baby is born, which is known as postnatal depression.

Treatments include talking therapies like cognitive behavioural therapy and antidepressants if symptoms are severe.

The study, published in The BMJ, looked at how giving esketamine to women with mild prenatal depression affected their chances of developing postnatal depression.

They tracked symptoms in 361 pregnant women from June 2020 to August 2022 to see how the drug affected them after they gave birth.

The mums were interviewed 18 to 30 hours after giving birth and again after seven and 42 days, with one group receiving the drug and another given a placebo.

Around 6.7 per cent of those on esketamine experienced a major depressive episode during the 42 days, compared to more than a quarter of those on the placebo.

Those given the drug also had lower depression scores at seven and 42 days.

Esketamine has treatment potential for preventing postpartum depression

Dr Camilla NordUniversity of Cambridge

British experts who were not involved in the research hailed the “important” and “well-powered” study for showing the potential benefits of esketamine.

Dr Rupert McShane, of the University of Oxford, said: “ A single dose is extraordinarily safe, effective and cheap for women at risk of worsening depression after childbirth.” 

Dr Camilla Nord, of the University of Cambridge, added: “This study provides a strong indication that esketamine has treatment potential for preventing postpartum depression.”

Help for mental health

If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support.

The following are free to contact and confidential:

Samaritans, www.samaritans.org, 116 123, jo@samartiands.org.uk
CALM (the leading movement against suicide in men) www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
Papyrus (prevention of young suicide) www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
Shout (for support of all mental health) www.giveusashout.org/get-help/, text 85258 to start a conversation

Mind, www.mind.org, provide information about types of mental health problems and where to get help for them. Email info@mind.org.uk or call the infoline on 0300 123 3393 (UK landline calls are charged at local rates, and charges from mobile phones will vary).

YoungMinds run a free, confidential parents helpline on 0808 802 5544 for parents or carers worried about how a child or young person is feeling or behaving. The website has a chat option too.

Rethink Mental Illness, www.rethink.org, gives advice and information service offers practical advice on a wide range of topics such as The Mental Health Act, social care, welfare benefits, and carers rights. Use its website or call 0300 5000 927 (calls are charged at your local rate).

Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk, is the a mental health initiative spearheaded by The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales.

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