Exposure to higher temperatures during pregnancy and postpartum may increase the risk of postpartum depression according to a study published in Environmental Health Perspectives. Researchers analyzed data from over 400,000 pregnancies and found that higher mean temperature and diurnal temperature range were positively associated with an increased risk of postpartum depression. This risk was greater for Black, Asian, and Hispanic mothers, as well as those exposed to higher levels of pollution and fewer green spaces. More research is needed to understand the biological mechanisms behind this link and to develop interventions to reduce the impact of heat exposure on maternal mental health.
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Exposure to higher temperatures in pregnancy may drive postpartum depression risk
