Incidence and demographic correlates of depressive symptoms during pregnancy in an inner London population

This paper reviews the literature on antenatal depression and reports on a recent survey of depressive symptoms among 407 women attending an inner Lon don antenatal clinic. The high level of depressive symptoms in this survey was in line with that recently reported from a deprived inner-city populati on in the United States. Depressive symptoms were associated with having no educational qualifications, being unmarried, the woman being unemployed ha ving poor support from a partner if present, and being in second or subsequ ent pregnancy. Doctors should be aware that women are not especially protec ted from symptoms of depression during pregnancy The association with socio economic problems suggests that this is one aspect of morbidity among disad vantaged people. There is a need for more research on the causes of depress ion during pregnancy and on evaluation of medical treatment and social inte rvention.