Boys may increase chance of postnatal depression

Women who give birth to boys are more likely to suffer from postnatal depression, according to a new study.

Research by scientists at the University of Nancy has shown that of the 181 mothers involved in the study, nine per cent had suffered from severe depression. Three-quarters of these had given birth to boys.

Furthermore, the research revealed that, regardless of whether they had postnatal depression, seven out of ten of those who had given birth to a boy reported a lower quality of life.

Lead researcher, Professor Claude de Tychey, said: "When we launched our research, our main aim was to study the effect that gender has on PND.

"The overwhelming finding of the study was the fact that gender appears to play a significant role in reduced quality of life as well as an increased chance of severe postnatal depression.

"Women had the same scores regardless of whether the recent birth was their first or second baby."

News brought to you by Global Health TV, covering the issues of Health in the Developing world