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Blood Test to Spot Postpartum Depression

by Savitha C Muppala on May 24 2013 12:03 AM

 Blood Test to Spot Postpartum Depression
Post partum depression is known to affect 10 to 18% of mothers. Presently there is no way to screen for postpartum depression.
Researchers at John Hopkins University have discovered that the presence of two genes can show the risk of a woman developing postpartum depression. They said that it can be found through a simple blood test.

 Researchers tracked the changes in genes in pregnant women and found that those who went on to suffer from postpartum depression portrayed more changes in the two genes.

The two genes were discovered while researchers looked at how estrogen affected the mood centers of the brain.

The researchers are optimistic that a simple blood test to find these two genetic markers can point out the risks of postpartum depression in women and such blood tests could be included as part of routine tests during pregnancy. women undergo.

Source-Medindia


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