2 Jul 2013

£10 post-natal depression test for expectant mothers

British doctors discover a gene linked to post-natal depression and develop a simple blood test that could identify who is likely to suffer from the condition.

The test, likely to cost about £10, could also prevent post-natal depression (PND) in expectant mothers who have the genetic variation.

The research was carried out by a team at University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust (UHCW) and Warwick Medical School.

Professor Dimitris Grammatopoulos, who led the research, said: “PND is a complex condition influenced by everything from a woman’s financial situation to the level of support she is given.

‘Revolutionise’

“However, our research shows there is more to the ‘baby blues’ than environmental factors alone and has a strong genetic component.

“This discovery has the potential to revolutionise our care for expectant mothers by screening them before the devastating symptoms of PND set in.”

The paper, which has been published by the Journal of Psychiatric Research, was based on his recent study of 200 pregnant women.

If it became part of the whole system of childbirth, then the support should be easier for everyone to access. Beth Bone

Prof Grammatopoulos and his team identified that an overwhelming majority of women who went on to develop PND had at least one of two molecular signatures – variations in a person’s DNA – which increase the risk of PND.

They could be up to five times more likely to suffer from the illness.

Up to 15 per cent of women are reported to suffer from PND, yet medics believe this figure could be much higher, as many severe cases go unreported.

Rachael Dobson from the pre and post-natal support chariy PANDAS said:

“I think its fantastic if they are able to give people more warning as to what to expect. Also it will allow mums-to-be to put into place any support they might need, treaments that might help and actually give them a chance to talk to health professionals as well as friends and family about what might happen”

Prevention

Prof Grammatopoulos said: “at the moment, women only go to their GP once their symptoms are already severe. This new process will help identify, provide early support and, if necessary, treatment, and even prevent the illness.”

Prof Grammatopoulos and his team are now carrying out the next phase of their research, recruiting approximately 1,500 women.

Mother Beth Bone (see above), who has suffered from PND, said: “I think it’s a great idea, I think it’s a real step forward just to have someone doing research into something that can have such a catastrophic effect on some people’s minds.

“I would have definitely had it. I’d definitely recommend to anyone to have it because I know of women now who are suffering and can’t find the support.

“So if it became part of the whole system of childbirth, then the support should be easier for everyone to access.”