Exposure to higher temperature in pregnancy may raise postpartum depression risk: Study

Results: There were 46,114 (10.73%) PPD cases among 429,839 pregnancies (mean±standard deviation age =30.22±5.75 y). Increased PPD risks were positively associated with exposure to higher mean temperature [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) per interquartile range increment: 1.07; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.05, 1.09] and diurnal temperature range (aOR=1.08; 95% CI: 1.06, 1.10); the associations were stronger for maximum temperature compared with minimum temperature. The temperature-related PPD risks were greater among African American, Asian, and Hispanic mothers and among mothers ≥25 years of age compared with their counterparts. We also observed higher effects of temperature on PPD among mothers exposed to higher air pollution or lower green space levels and among mothers with lower air conditioning penetration rates. Maternal exposure to higher temperature and diurnal temperature variability during the postpartum period was associated with an increased risk of PPD. Effect modification by maternal age, race/ethnicity, air pollution, green space, and air conditioning penetration was identified.

Reference:

Buchwald A, Boudova S, Invited Perspective: Climate Change and Maternal Mental Health—Looking beyond High-Income Countries, Environmental Health Perspectives, 10.1289/EHP16476, 132, 11, (2024).