Title : Association between antepartum dermatoses and postpartum mental health: A cross-sectional survey from Pakistan

Background: While substantial literature cites the solitary incidence of antepartum dermatoses and postpartum depression, there is a paucity in evidence suggesting their association, especially in patients of color from resource-constrained settings.

Methods: A single-sample cross-sectional survey on postpartum women was conducted. The Edinburgh Postpartum Depress Scale (EDPS) was used, and an EDPS score >12 was termed as postpartum depression. Binary logistic regression with postpartum depression as the dependent variable was used. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant in the multivariable regression model.

Results: 373 postpartum women participated in the survey, out of whom 335 (89.8%) had experienced pregnancy- induced dermatoses, and 151 (40.5%) women screened positive for postpartum depression (PPD). On multivariable regression, emotional abuse (OR, 10.0 [95% CI, 1.11-100.00]; P = 0.040) and traumatic events (OR, 3.45 [95% CI, 1.05-11.11]; P = 0.042) during pregnancy were associated with an increased likelihood of postpartum depression. Contrarily, emergency c-section (OR, 0.41 [95% CI, 0.21-0.81]; P = 0.010) was associated with a decreased likelihood of PPD. None of the pregnancy-induced dermatoses was associated with postpartum depression (P>0.05).

Conclusion: Women experiencing pregnancy-induced dermatoses may have underlying factors worsening their mental health, which must be delineated at the time of consultation to reduce their risk of postpartum depression. Further studies elucidating the link between specific dermatoses of pregnancy and postpartum depression are warranted.

Dr. Kinza Jawed graduated from medical school in January 2026 and is currently pursuing a Dean’s Clinical Research Fellowship at Aga Khan University, Pakistan. She is deeply passionate about public health research and medical education, with a strong interest in advancing evidence-based healthcare practices and academic mentorship. Throughout her academic career, she has actively participated in national medical conferences, where she has presented her research and received multiple awards for Best Oral Presentation. Dr. Jawed will be applying for residency training in the United States in the upcoming Match cycle, intending to integrate clinical excellence, research, and medical education into her future career.