Around 90 French women die each year in the perinatal period (which goes from conception to the child's first birthday) Suicide is the leading cause, with 17% of cases. Faced with this public health issue, different prevention strategies are being explored.
Results have just been published in the British Medical Journal on the effectiveness of a ketamine derivative when given to the mother just after the birth of her child. The originality of this study, carried out in China by researchers from Peking University, is to have tested, in women with postnatal depression. The results of the study are to be published in the British Medical Journal in the coming weeks. For confidential support call the Samaritans in the UK on 08457 90 90 90 or visit a local Samaritans branch, see www.samaritans.org for details. In the U.S. call the National Suicide Prevention Line on 1-800-273-8255 or visit http://www.suicideprevention.org/.