UK scientists have developed what's believed to be the world's first blood test for detecting post natal depression or PND. [Photo: mlczyys.com/Agencies]

 

　　UK scientists have developed what's believed to be the world's first blood test for detecting post natal depression or PND. The ground-breaking research could lead to women getting expert medical help before they give birth. Li Dong has the details.

 

　　Rachael Dobson knows how devastating post natal depression can be. She has suffered with it for three years, following the birth of her son Andreas.

 

　　The 24-year-old mother has now recovered - thanks to support from family and friends - but her journey was a tough one.

 

　　"I would sit there some days thinking that nothing could get any worse, I'm making it difficult for my husband, I'm not caring for my son like I'm meant to. So would it be easier if I just ended it? Would that solve it? I viewed it as if I'd done something and done that and ended it, then it would make it easier on my husband because he wouldn't have to come home, as well as looking after a baby, which he loved doing, he wouldn't have to contend with me sort of crying at him or shouting at him."

 

　　Rachael became so depressed that she even considered, for one terrifying moment, harming Andreas:

 

　　"I can remember him crying, absolutely loads, I think I tried every tip box in the book you could be possibly think of, feeding, winding, changing his nappy and I just, because he wouldn't be quiet, I just started then to get thoughts of what if I smothered him, at least he would be quiet then and then I'll be able to sort myself out. But then, sort of within a split second, you're almost scared yourself, because how can you think that about a vulnerable baby."

 

　　Rachael is not alone. Up to 15 percent of women are reported to suffer from PND, but medics think this figure is likely to be a lot higher because many cases go unreported.

 

　　Medics are now keen to get to those at risk before they give birth.

 

　　Scientists at a laboratory in Britain have come up with a blood test to give women an indication of how likely they are to go on and develop depression.

 

　　Researchers have proven that a genetic variation can lead to mothers-to-be becoming up to five times more likely to suffer from PND.

 

　　Dimitris Grammatopoulos, Professor of Molecular Medicine and Consultant is working on the study.

 

　　"Clearly there is evidence that if you can identify women at risk early, you could be able to treat earlier, to give measures early, in order to prevent or stop the process of the disease."

 

　　His paper, which has been published by the Journal of Psychiatric Research, is based on a recent study of 200 pregnant women.

 

　　The research found that an overwhelming majority of women who went on to develop PND had at least one of two molecular signatures - variations in a person's DNA - which increase the risk of PND.

 

　　The study is far from complete. Grammatopoulos and his team are now recruiting around 1,500 volunteers for the next phase of their research. The aim is to have the blood test ready for use within five years.

 

　　For CRI, I am Li Dong.