Anaesthetic drugs & techniques
Efficacy of a single low dose of esketamine after childbirth for mothers with symptoms of prenatal depression: randomised clinical trial
Primary result · Major depressive episodeResult — go to the resultRelative risk 0.26 95% CI 0.14–0.48Authors' conclusion
For mothers with prenatal depression, a single low dose of esketamine after childbirth decreases major depressive episodes at 42 days post partum by about three quarters. Neuropsychiatric symptoms were more frequent but transient and did not require drug intervention.
Study context
- Population
- Mothers aged ≥18 years with at least mild prenatal depression (Edinburgh postnatal depression scale ≥10) admitted for delivery, 5 tertiary care hospitals in China, 2020–2022enrolled and randomised
- Participants
- 364 mothers
- Comparison
- Single low dose of esketamine vs placebo after childbirth
- Primary endpoint
- Prevalence of a major depressive episode (mini-international neuropsychiatric interview)
- Follow-up
- 42 days post partum
Methodological detailsdouble-blind, placebo-controlled, two parallel arms, multicentre
- Double-blind
- Placebo-controlled
- Two parallel arms
- Multicentre
Primary result
Major depressive episode
Relative risk
0.26
95% CI 0.14–0.48
P < 0.001
Events by treatment group
Esketamine vs Placebo
RR 0.26 (95% CI 0.14–0.48); P < 0.001
As reported in the abstract
Secondary outcomes
| Outcome | Median difference (95% CI) | P value | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edinburgh postnatal depression scale score · 7 days | −3 (−4 to −2) | P < 0.001 | |
| Edinburgh postnatal depression scale score · 42 days | −3 (−4 to −2) | P < 0.001 | |
| 17 item Hamilton depression rating scale score · 42 days post partum | −4 (−6 to −3) | P < 0.001 | |
| −10−505Difference (linear scale) |
Safety
Neuropsychiatric adverse events (overall) · until 24 hours after childbirth
P < 0.001
Denominator Esketamine 182 · Placebo 182
Neuropsychiatric adverse events (overall) · until 24 hours after childbirth
- Symptoms lasted less than a day and none required drug treatment
Original publication
Efficacy of a single low dose of esketamine after childbirth for mothers with symptoms of prenatal depression: randomised clinical trial. BMJ. Published 10 April 2024. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →