Volume 24 Issue 5
May  2026
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Article Navigation >  Chinese Journal of General Practice  > 2026  >  24(5): 790-793
WEI Yahong, ZHAO Mei, FANG Yuanyuan, WANG Wenxin, HUANG Yichao, FAN Yijun. Association between breastfeeding and postpartum depression in women with gestational diabetes mellitus[J]. Chinese Journal of General Practice, 2026, 24(5): 790-793. doi: 10.16766/j.cnki.issn.1674-4152.004492
Citation: WEI Yahong, ZHAO Mei, FANG Yuanyuan, WANG Wenxin, HUANG Yichao, FAN Yijun. Association between breastfeeding and postpartum depression in women with gestational diabetes mellitus[J]. Chinese Journal of General Practice, 2026, 24(5): 790-793. doi: 10.16766/j.cnki.issn.1674-4152.004492
shu

Association between breastfeeding and postpartum depression in women with gestational diabetes mellitus

doi: 10.16766/j.cnki.issn.1674-4152.004492
  • 1.

    Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230601, China

Funds:

 72474001

 AHWJ2023A10036

  • Received Date: 2025-12-13
    Available Online: 2026-10-23
    Abstract
  •   Objective  To investigate the impact of breastfeeding on postpartum depression (PPD)risk in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and to compare breastfeeding practices and PPD risk between GDM and non-GDM women.  Methods  This prospective cohort study included 180 GDM and 198 non-GDM women, followed up for 6-8 weeks postpartum. Data on breastfeeding practices were collected via questionnaires. PPD risk was assessed using the Edinburgh postnatal depression scale (EPDS). Multivariable logistic regression and interaction analyses were conducted to evaluate the independent association between breastfeeding and PPD risk.  Results  No statistically significant differences were found between the GDM and non-GDM groups in breastfeeding rate or positive screening rate for PPD at 6-8 weeks postpartum (P>0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that breastfeeding was an independent protective factor against PPD risk in the GDM group (OR=0.251, 95% CI: 0.090-0.702, P=0.009), whereas no significant association was observed in the non-GDM group (P>0.05). The interaction term between GDM status and breastfeeding was significant in the unadjusted model (P=0.027), but became non-significant after adjusting for confounding factors. Simple effects analysis further confirmed that the protective effect of breastfeeding against PPD was statistically significant only in the GDM group (OR=0.234, 95% CI: 0.086-0.634, P=0.004).  Conclusion  While the overall PPD risk was comparable between groups, breastfeeding confers a specific psychological protective effect in women with GDM. Therefore, breastfeeding support should be prioritized as a core intervention strategy for PPD prevention in this population.

     

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