Study Reveals Esketamine Dose Reduces Postpartum Depression Risk

Depression in new mothers depends on various factors, such as hormonal changes, stress, and isolation. Postpartum depression is a mood disorder that usually occurs after delivery. It can affect mothers up to 1 to 7 months postpartum. Healthcare professionals suggest a single dose of esketamine for mothers with prenatal depression- depression during pregnancy.    

Researchers from China conducted a study to understand whether a single dose of esketamine right after delivery reduces postpartum depression in mothers with prenatal depression. This research was conducted at five tertiary care hospitals in China between 19 June 2020 and 3 August 2022.    

In this randomized, double-blind, and controlled trial published in the BMJ, researchers involved 361 pregnant women. The women aged 18 or older who had prenatal depression indicated by Edinburgh postnatal depression scores and who were admitted to the hospital for delivery were considered eligible for this research. These participant women were divided into two groups: the esketamine group, which consisted of 180 women, and the placebo group, which consisted of 181 women. The women in both groups were given their respective doses 40 minutes after delivery.   

These participant women were interviewed two times during this research. The primary outcome, which was a major depressive episode, was diagnosed by using the mini-international neuropsychiatric interview 42 days after delivery. The secondary outcome- the Edinburgh postnatal depression scale score was measured 7 and 42 days after delivery.   

When researchers observed this collected data, they found that only 12 out of 180 (6.7%) women who were given an esketamine dose experienced a major depressive episode. 

On the other hand, 46 out of 181, that is, 25.4% of women who were given a placebo dose, experienced a major depressive episode. The results of this study show the effectiveness of an esketamine dose given after 40 minutes of delivery, as it reduces the risk of depression in new mothers. This will also be helpful for pregnant women with prenatal depression. These findings will help healthcare professionals make effective strategies to treat women with prenatal depression.   

Reference Link:   

Efficacy of a single low dose of esketamine after childbirth for mothers with symptoms of prenatal depression: randomized clinical trial, The BMJ (2024).  

 DOI: 10.1136/bmj-2023-078218