Identification of postpartum symptom subgroups and associated long-term maternal depressive symptoms and well-being.

The symptom groups were identified only at 6 months, so it is unknown how they change from early postpartum to later months. Fewer women had outcome data than were analysed at 6 months: 1256 at 18 months and 579 at 24 months. Latent class analysis assigns women to groups using probabilities, so group membership may be uncertain. The symptom set was limited by the original dataset, and pain and fatigue were not included. Sleep was measured with only three items, so sleep latency and other sleep details were missing. The analysis adjusted for some characteristics, but social determinants of health and other outcomes were not examined. The sample was primarily low- to middle-income US postpartum women, so it may not apply to all postpartum women. The study reports associations, not tested interventions.

The authors declared no conflict of interest. The supplied publication types indicate NIH extramural support, but the text does not give a detailed funding statement.

Do not conclude that these symptom groups cause later depression or that a specific intervention will prevent it. The study observed associations at 6 months and later outcomes, and it did not test treatment.