First episode depression during the perinatal period is associated with atopic diseases and persistently increased eosinophil and basophil levels

• Published in: Archives of women's mental health 2024-10
• Main Authors: Wagner, En-Young N, Pichler, Eva Maria, Müller, Mario, Eisenhut, Andrea, Buadze, Ana, Xu, Yanhua, Seifritz, Erich, Strippoli, Marie-Pierre F, Castelao, Enrique, Ranjbar, Setareh, Glaus, Jennifer, Vandeleur, Caroline, Preisig, Martin, von Känel, Roland, Ajdacic-Gross, Vladeta
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1434-1816; 1435-1102; 1435-1102
• DOI: 10.1007/s00737-024-01522-5

A previous diagnosis of depression is a strong predictor for perinatal depression, apart from other mental disorders, stress, and atopies. It is less clear which factors interfere if perinatal depression occurs as a first depression episode (fePND). We examined the associations with atopies and related blood parameters using data of CoLaus|PsyCoLaus. Newly occurring depression during the perinatal period but not recurrent depression was associated with a lifetime diagnosis of allergies and asthma together with persistently increased levels of basophils and eosinophils. The results imply that immune function may play a relevant role in the risk of a fePND. If confirmed and detailed, these findings could serve as the basis for designing preliminary prevention strategies by observing eosinophil and basophil levels as well as symptoms of atopic diseases before/during pregnancy.