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Low-dose Ketamine and Postpartum Depression in Parturients With Prenatal Depression

Effects of Intraoperative Low-dose Ketamine on Incidence of Postpartum Depression in Parturients With Prenatal Depression Undergoing Cesarean Delivery: Blind Test, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Trial

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 4
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT03336541
Enrollment
64
Registered
2017-11-08
Start date
2017-11-23
Completion date
2018-06-25
Last updated
2021-12-13

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Cesarean Delivery, Ketamine, Perinatal Depression, Postpartum Depression

Keywords

Prenatal depression, Ketamine, Cesarean delivery, Postpartum depression

Brief summary

Postpartum depression is common in mothers early after childbirth and produces harmful effects not only on mothers, but also on infants and young children. Parturients with prenatal depression are at increased of postpartum depression. Low-dose ketamine can be used for antidepressant therapy. We hypothesize that low-dose ketamine has a therapeutic effect on parturients with prenatal depression. This study is designed to investigate whether low-dose ketamine administered during cesarean delivery can decrease the incidence of postpartum depression in parturients with prenatal depression.

Detailed description

Postpartum depression refers to maternal depression developed early after childbirth, with reported incidences varied from 15% to 20%. The development of postpartum depression produces harmful effects not only on mothers, but also on infants and young children. Prenatal depression or high depression score is an independent risk factor for the development of postpartum depression. Ketamine is commonly used as an general anesthetic. In addition, low-dose ketamine is recommended for antidepressant therapy. We hypothesize that low-dose ketamine has a therapeutic effect on parturients with prenatal depression. However, evidences in this aspect are insufficient. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether low-dose ketamine administered during cesarean delivery can decrease the incidence of postpartum depression in parturients with prenatal depression.

Interventions

DRUGKetamine

Ketamine (0.5 mg/kg in 100 ml normal saline) will be administered by intravenous infusion in 40 minutes after childbirth during cesarean delivery.

DRUGPlacebo

Placebo (100 ml normal saline) will be administered by intravenous infusion in 40 minutes after childbirth during cesarean delivery.

Sponsors

Peking University First Hospital
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to 45 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Parturients with age from 18 to 45 years and scheduled for elective cesarean delivery; * Prenatal depression score (EPDS) of 10 or higher; * Provide written informed consents.

Exclusion criteria

* Refused to participate in the study; * History of schizophrenia or other disease that prevent normal communication before delivery; * Presence of contraindications to neuraxial anesthesia, including central nervous system diseases (such as poliomyelitis), spinal diseases (such as spinal canal tumor, lumbar disc prolapse, history of spinal trauma), systemic infection (such as sepsis, bacteremia), local infection in the site of puncture, or coagulopathy; * Severe complications during pregnancy (such as severe preeclampsia, placenta accreta, HELLP syndrome); * Severe comorbidity before pregnancy (such as severe cardiac dysfunction); * Scheduled to undergo cesarean delivery under general anesthesia; * Other reasons that are considered unsuitable for study participation.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
The score of postpartum depression at 48 hous after childbirth.At 48 hours after delivery.Postpartum depression is assessed with Edinburgh postnatal depression scale (EPDS) at 48 hours after childbirth. The EPDS is a 10-item self-rating post-natal depression scale. Each item is scored from 0 to 3, resulting an overall score ranging from 0-30; a high score indicates severe depression.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
The proportion of neonates with breast feeding.At 24 hours after delivery.The proportion of neonates with breast feeding.
Duration of neonatal sleep within 24 hours after delivery.During the first 24 hours after delivery.Duration of neonatal sleep within 24 hours after delivery.
Length of stay in hospital after delivery.From childbirth up to 30 days after delivery.Length of stay in hospital after delivery.
Time of first breast feeding.From delivery to 24 hours after delivery.Time of first breast feeding.
Incidence of postpartum depression at 42 days after delivery.At 42 days after delivery.Postpartum depression is assessed with EPDS at 42 days after childbirth. A EPDS score of 10 or above is defined as postpartum depression.
Incidence of maternal complications with 42 days after delivery.From childbirth up to 42 days after delivery.Incidence of maternal complications with 42 days after delivery.
Incidence of neonatal complications with 42 days after delivery.From childbirth up to 42 days after delivery.Incidence of neonatal complications with 42 days after delivery.
The score of postpartum depression at 42 days after delivery.At 42 days after delivery.Postpartum depression is assessed with EPDS at 42 days after childbirth.

Countries

China

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 10, 2026