Triggering of postpartum depression and insomnia with cognitive impairment in Argentinian women during the pandemic COVID-19 social isolation in relation to reproductive and health factors.
Agustín Ramiro Miranda, Ana Veronica Scotta, Mariela Valentina Cortez and 1 others
PMID 34218023WHAT IT FOUND
During Argentina's social isolation, 37% of postpartum breastfeeding women showed suggestive symptoms of depression, 46% reported insomnia, and 42% reported memory complaints.
Depression was linked to insomnia, worse self-rated memory and concentration, and poorer breastfeeding confidence.
Key findings
01Among 305 postpartum breastfeeding women during social isolation, 37% showed suggestive symptoms of postpartum depression, 46% reported insomnia, and 42% reported memory complaints.
02Depression had direct links to insomnia and self-rated cognition, and indirect links to breastfeeding self-efficacy.
03Insomnia was associated with being more than six months postpartum, and memory complaints were associated with age over 35, multiparity and being more than six months postpartum.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The study was cross-sectional, so it cannot show that social isolation, depression, insomnia or memory complaints caused one another. All outcomes were self-reported by questionnaires, not diagnosed by clinicians. The sample was limited to women in Argentina who were breastfeeding and could access the online survey, so results may not apply to non-breastfeeding women or women without internet access. The paper did not report how many women were approached, declined or dropped out. Important sleep and mental health factors were not measured, such as bed-sharing, infant sleep, family sleep habits, previous depression, abuse, child loss or psychostimulant use. Questionnaire thresholds identify possible symptoms, not clinical diagnoses. The associations may be affected by factors not analysed, and the model explained only part of the variability.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest. The paper did not name an external funder.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that social isolation caused these symptoms or that breastfeeding support will reduce them. The study measured associations at one time using self-report questionnaires and did not test an intervention.