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Cited by 34Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and PostpartumMaternal and Neonatal HealthcareMaternal and fetal healthcare

Prevalence of Postpartum Depression Based on Diagnostic Interviews: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

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Bai, Yanping, Li, Qiao, Cheng, Kar Keung, Caine, Eric D., Tong, Yongsheng, Wu, Xia, Gong, Wenjie·2023·Depression and Anxiety
DOI 10.1155/2023/8403222PMC PMC11921862
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Abstract

Background. Postpartum depression (PPD) is common after childbirth. Previous reviews on the prevalence of PPD have mainly included results that relied on screening instruments or a mixture of such instruments and diagnostic interviews. In this study, we aimed to assess the prevalence of PPD based exclusively on studies using diagnostic interviews, as they provide the most reliable and valid approach for defining “caseness.” Methods. Using PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, CNKI, WANFANG DATA, and CBM up to September 18, 2022, we searched for original articles reporting data that could be used to calculate the prevalence of PPD based on diagnostic interviews. A random-effect meta-analysis model was then used to estimate the pooled prevalence. In addition, we assessed quality, heterogeneity, and publication bias across studies. Also, we did subgroup analyses to explore the pooled prevalence at different time points and settings. This study was registered with PROSPERO, CRD42021244539. Results. Of 17,115 articles retrieved, 54 studies were included (total sample size = 15,586 women). The pooled prevalence of all depression and major depression within one year postpartum was 12.1% (95% CI 10.3%-14.1%; I 2 = 91.0 % ) and 7.0% (95% CI 5.7%-8.4%; I 2 = 83.0 % ), respectively. The peaks of all depression occurred during the first 6 months postpartum, especially 2-3 weeks and 6-8 weeks. Subgroup analyses showed that the prevalence of major depression was associated with the income level of countries (higher in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) than in high-income countries (HICs)) and diagnostic criteria (higher using ICD than using DSM and RDC). No evidence of publication bias was found. Conclusions. Approximately one in eight postpartum women experiences a depressive condition, with one in fifteen suffering major depression. The pooled prevalence based on diagnostic interviews was lower than the existing consensus, which was largely based on self-reported screening instruments. The higher prevalence in LMICs underlines the importance of strengthening research and service provision among these populations.

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  • One year postpartum, approximately one in eight women experience depression, with a pooled prevalence of 12.1% in a meta-analytic study, and one in fifteen of all women experience major depression.

    “One year postpartum, approximately one in eight women, a pooled prevalence of 12.1% in a meta-analytic study, experience depression, and one in fifteen of all women experience major depression.10”

    From Influence of Neuraxial Anesthesia Technique During Vaginal and Cesarean Delivery and Association with Postpartum Depression: A Narrative Review of Literature (2026) · cites this paper as [10]

    The Results (§3.1) report pooled prevalences of 12.1% for all depression and 7.0% for major depression, and the Discussion describes these as approximately one in eight and one in fifteen postpartum women. The estimates cover women within the first year postpartum, not specifically at the one-year time point; the major-depression estimate is for postpartum women, not all women generally. (LLM, conf=0.86)

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Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Bai, Y., Li, Q., Cheng, K. K., Caine, E. D., Tong, Y., Wu, X., & Gong, W.
Affiliations
  • Central South University (CN)
  • University of Birmingham (GB)
  • University of Rochester Medicine (US)
  • Beijing HuiLongGuan Hospital (CN)
Corresponding author
Gong, Wenjie
ORCID
Venue
Depression and Anxiety
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2023-08-19
Volume
2023
Pages
1-12
ISSN
  • 1091-4269 (ISSN-L)
  • 1520-6394
DOI
10.1155/2023/8403222
PMC
PMC11921862
OpenAlex
W4385998998
Cited by
34
References
10
Citations by year
2026: 19 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 1
FWCI
1.68
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Depression and Anxiety (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • University of Birmingham Research Portal (University of Birmingham) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
National Natural Science Foundation of China (82273643, 81973059)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Maternal and Neonatal Healthcare
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Maternal and fetal healthcare
Keywords
postpartum depression, prevalence, diagnostic interview, major depressive disorder, postpartum period, low- and middle-income countries, diagnostic criteria, ICD, DSM, Research Domain Criteria, income level
MeSH terms
Major Depressive Disorder, Female, Humans, Interview, Psychological, Prevalence, Depression, Postpartum

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