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Toronto, Canada – Women with a history of concussion face a 25 percent higher risk of severe mental health problems after childbirth, according to a recent study led by Canadian researchers. Published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, the study emphasizes the importance of recognizing concussion history as a potential risk factor in prenatal care and underscores the need for trauma-informed mental health support throughout the postpartum period.
“We found that individuals with a history of concussion were significantly more likely to experience serious mental health challenges, such as psychiatric emergency department visits or self-harm, in the years following childbirth,” stated lead author Samantha Krueger from McMaster University. This effect was particularly pronounced in women with no prior mental health history, Krueger noted, highlighting concussion as a potential but often overlooked factor influencing postpartum mental health.
The research tracked more than 750,000 women in Ontario from 2007 to 2017, monitoring mental health outcomes for up to 14 years post-delivery. According to the findings, 11 percent of women with a previous concussion developed severe maternal mental health issues, compared to only 7 percent of women without such a history. Even after adjusting for variables like age, income, and history of interpersonal violence, the risk of severe mental illness was 25 percent higher for those with a concussion history.
Importantly, for women with no previous mental health diagnosis, the risk of developing severe mental health issues post-childbirth rose by 33 percent if they had experienced a concussion in the past.
The study also identified postpartum sleep deprivation as a compounding risk factor for those with a concussion history. “Sleep is critical to recovery after a head injury, but sleep deprivation is a reality for many new parents,” explained Dr. Hilary Brown, Associate Professor in the Department of Health and Society at the University of Toronto Scarborough. Brown highlighted how postpartum challenges—like cognitive impairments, heightened sensitivities to light and noise, and the stress of newborn care—can exacerbate concussion symptoms, increasing the risk of severe mental health problems over time.
Given these findings, the researchers advocate for routine antenatal screening for concussion history and integrating mental health resources within maternal care services. By identifying and supporting women with a history of concussion early in pregnancy, healthcare providers can offer long-term, trauma-informed support that may help reduce the incidence of mental health challenges in the postpartum period.
This study represents a significant step in understanding the mental health risks for postpartum women and highlights an area for potential policy shifts in maternal health care.
