Development of Egyptian Practice Guidelines for Peripartum Depression in Primary Health Care

Abstract

Antenatal and postpartum major depressive episode (MDE) according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th Edition (DSM-V) is defined as either daily sustained sad mood or lack of enjoyment or desire for a minimum two weeks plus four associated manifestations (only three if the two major symptoms are present); • Unintentional notable slimming up or down. • Sleepiness or sleeplessness. • Tiredness sensation. • Guilty or futility sensation. • Declined concentration capacity. • Frequent suicidal thoughts. • Psychomotor excitation or delay. That start throughout pregnancy or during the first 4 weeks postpartum respectively. There are multiple underlying risk factors for antepartum and postpartum depression that involve, genetic factors, younger age, having twins or triplets, past history of depression, family history for depression, lack of social endorsement, life stressors, low socioeconomic status,