(February 24, 2009 - Insidermedicine) Women with diabetes are nearly twice as likely to suffer from depression while pregnant and for a time afterward, according to research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Untreated depression during pregnancy has been associated with:

•    Higher pregnancy complication rates

•    Higher death rates for the mother, including suicide rates

•    More difficult or complicated labor

Researchers from Harvard Medical School analyzed data on diabetes and depression rates on over 11,000 women who gave birth between July 2004 and September 2006.

Women with diabetes were more likely to experience signs of depression during and immediately after pregnancy. After controlling for multiple factors that may affect depression rates, women with diabetes were nearly twice as likely to receive an antidepressant or a diagnosis of depression while pregnant. Among women with no signs of depression during pregnancy, those with diabetes were nearly twice as likely to suffer from depression during the post-pregnancy period.

We had a chance to speak with Katy Backes Kozhimannil, the principal investigator on this study, who offered some further insight.

Today's research highlights the need to closely watch women with diabetes for signs of depression during and after pregnancy.

For Insidermedicine in Depth, I'm Dr. Susan Sharma.