Best Practice & Research Clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology Vol. 21, No. 2, pp. 183e191, 2007 Postnatal depression: an update Dominic T.S. Lee* MD, MRCPsych Professor Department of Psychiatry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong Department of Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, USA Tony K.H. Chung MD, FRANZCOG, FRCOG ad eundem Professor Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong Apart from causing emotional suffering, postnatal depression strains marriage, undermines the mother’s confidence, impairs her social functioning and quality of life, and in serious cases contributes to infant abuses, infanticides and suicidal behaviour. Recent studies also show that postnatal depression adversely affects emotional, behavioural and cognitive development of the newborn. In addition, there is growing awareness that depression can occur during pregnancy, and antenatal depression can adversely affect obstetric and neonatal outcomes. Antenatal depressive symptoms are also the strongest predictor of postnatal depression. This paper reviews the epidemiology, clinical presentation, risk factors, prevention and treatment of perinatal depression. The latest development in research and practice related to this condition are also highlighted. Keywords postnatal depression; mood disorders; pregnancy complications; postnatal complications. Correspondence author: Address: Department of Psychiatry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong. Tel.: þ852 2810 7378; Fax: þ852 2810 9979. E-mail address: tak.lee@mac.com (D.T.S. Lee). 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ...