By Stephen Beech via SWNS
Pregnant women who have previously suffered concussion are at much greater risk of severe mental health issues after giving birth, warns new research.
They are 25% more likely to have post-birth mental health problems, according to the findings.
Researchers say the Canadian study, published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, highlights the importance of identifying moms-to-be with previous concussions early in their prenatal care.
Lead author Samantha Krueger, a midwife and PhD candidate at McMaster University, said: “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.
“This association was especially strong for people with no prior mental health history, meaning that concussion may be an important but overlooked risk factor during pregnancy and postpartum care.”
The study followed more than 750,000 moms across Ontario between 2007 and 2017, tracking mental health outcomes for up to 14 years after giving birth.
Researchers found that among those with a history of concussion, 11% experienced severe maternal mental illness, compared to just 7% for those without previous concussions.
Even after adjusting for factors including age and income, concussion was associated with a 25% higher risk of severe mental illness.
The researchers say their findings were “particularly striking” among participants without a pre-existing mental health diagnosis.
Among those women, a previous concussion increased the risk of developing severe maternal mental illness by 33%, compared to those with no concussion history.
Senior author Dr. Hilary Brown, an Associate Professor at the University of Toronto, noted that the physical and emotional demands of parenting may “exacerbate” concussion-related challenges.
She said: “Sleep is critical to recovery after a head injury, but sleep deprivation is a reality for many new parents.
“Cognitive impairments, sensitivities to light and noise, and the stress of caring for a newborn can all intensify concussion symptoms, which in turn may raise the risk of mental health issues over time.”
Given the biological links between brain injury and mental illness, the researchers called for routine antenatal screening for concussion history and provision of mental health resources.
Krueger said: “Our study points to a critical need for healthcare providers to take concussion history into account when supporting new parents.”
She added: “Early identification and long-term support could make a real difference in preventing serious psychiatric outcomes.”
The researchers hope their findings will encourage the prioritization of concussion prevention in people of reproductive age and ensure adequate mental health resources for new parents.
