A meta-analysis of 43 studies found that paternal depression increases during pregnancy and the postpartum period, with rates of around 10% during pregnancy and 25% from 3-6 months postpartum. While paternal depression is more likely when the mother is depressed, maternal depression does not strongly predict paternal mood disorders. Paternal depression can negatively impact infant development and may also contribute to weight gain in fathers. As such, screening and interventions for depression should target the parental couple rather than just individual parents.

1. Prenatal and Postpartum Depression in Dads

2. Introduction While the phenomenon of depression during and following pregnancy in women is widely appreciated (and often associated with weight gain and/or antenatal weight retention), the effect of pregnancy on mood of fathers is less appreciated. A recent study by James Paulson and SharnailBazemore from the Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, just published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, throws new light on this interesting issue. Notes: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20483973

3. Research The researchers performed a meta-analysis of 43 studies that documented depression in fathers between the first trimester and the first postpartum year involving 28 004 participant. Although there was substantial heterogeneity between the rates of paternal depression between studies, the average rate of paternal depression in the antenatal period (during pregnancy) was abour 10% but increased to about 25% during the 3 to 6-month postpartum period (after birth).

4. Findings While paternal depression was more likely in the presence of maternal depression, this was by no means a strong predictor of paternal mood disorder. These findings have important implications. Not only is it important to also be wary of mood disorders in expecting and new fathers (especially if the mother has mood problems), but these mood disorders in fathers may need to be addressed.

5. How to Cope? This is of particular importance given the emerging evidence that paternal depression may have substantial emotional, behavioral and developmental effects on the infant. Furthermore, it may well be that paternal per partum depression could contribute to weight gain in dads. Thus, prevention, screening and interventions for depression should likely be focused on the couple rather than on the individual parent.

6. About Dr. Arya M. Sharma Dr. Arya M. Sharma, MD/PhD, FRCPC is Professor of Medicine & Chair for Obesity Research and Management at the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada. He is also the Medical Director of the Edmonton Capital Health Region’s interdisciplinary Weight Wise Program. Dr. Sharma is also the Scientific Director of the Canadian Obesity Network funded through the federal Networks of Centres Excellence program. Dr. Sharma has authored and co-authored more than 250 scientific articles and has lectured widely on the etiology and management of obesity and related cardiovascular disorders. He sends his informative messages through his blog Dr. Sharma’s Obesity Notes. For more information on Obesity visit; Website: http://www.drsharma.ca/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dr-Arya-Sharma/115328778486319