Association between SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy and postpartum depressive and anxiety symptoms: finding from the International Registry of Coronavirus Exposure in Pregnancy (IRCEP) study

While there has been concern over the perinatal mental health implications of the COVID-19 outbreak, evidence on the risk of postpartum depression and anxiety following SARS-CoV-2 infection is limited. We studied this question using the International Registry of Coronavirus Exposure in Pregnancy, which included both a prospective and retrospective cohort. Study participants were required to have been tested for SARS-CoV-2 between the date of last menstrual period and delivery. The exposure of interest was SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy, as well as COVID-19 severity (severe, moderate, mild, and asymptomatic). The outcome was postpartum depression and anxiety symptoms, assessed by the 4-item Patient Health Questionnaire. The final analytic cohort consisted of 3819 participants (COVID-19 positive: 771; COVID-19 negative: 3048). After adjusting for confounding by socio-demographics, prior obstetric and maternal health comorbidities, mothers with severe COVID-19 had an increased risk of depressive (aRR: 1.72; 95%CI: 1.18–2.52) and anxiety (aRR: 1.40; 0.98–2.00) symptoms. The strength of the association was attenuated for women with moderate COVID-19 (aRR = 1.12; 0.86–1.44 for depressive symptoms; aRR = 1.18; 0.96–1.44 for anxiety symptoms). No increased risk was observed for mild or asymptomatic illness. The findings can inform targeted interventions to minimize the risk of adverse COVID-19-related mental health outcomes for pregnant women. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00737-022-01274-0.