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Interleukin-1ß elevation during the postpartum period

  • Published:
Annals of Behavioral Medicine

Abstract

During the postpartum period, women frequently report increased fatigue, which, if severe, may interfere with maternal-child bonding, delay a new mother’s return to her activities of daily living, and contribute to depression. Several studies have sought to determine psychosocial contributions to fatigue during the postpartum period, but few evaluate any physiological changes that may contribute to fatigue during this time. The following study was designed to test whether the potent, proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-1beta (IL-1ß), known to be a physiological mediator of fatigue in several clinical and experimental conditions, is elevated in women during the postpartum period and whether it might be related to symptoms of fatigue. Levels of fatigue and the urinary excretion of IL-1ß were measured in 26 women over 4 weeks postpartum. Correlations between fatigue and activation of the inflammatory response were investigated. Results demonstrated a significant elevation in IL-1ß during the postpartum period compared to control participants (p < .05) and a significant, although delayed, correlation between IL-1ß elevation and fatigue (p < .05). These results suggest that activation of the inflammatory response, as reflected by elevation in urinary IL-1ß, occurs in association with postpartum fatigue. Studies to explore further this association and to identify specific mechanisms of action are needed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pennsylvania State University Intercollege Physiology Program, 307 Health and Human Development, 16802, University Park, PA

    Elizabeth J. Corwin Ph.D., Ingrid Bozoky M.S. & Nancy Johnston M.S.N.

  2. The School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins University, USA

    Linda C. Pugh Ph.D. (R.N.C.)

Authors
  1. Elizabeth J. Corwin Ph.D.
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  2. Ingrid Bozoky M.S.
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  3. Linda C. Pugh Ph.D.
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  4. Nancy Johnston M.S.N.
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ingrid Bozoky M.S..

Additional information

This work was supported by a grant from Sigma Theta Tau International and the Penn State General Clinical Research Center, funded by NIHRR10732.

We thank Mr. Rick Ball for his excellent laboratory assistance, Dr. David Wagstaff for his statistical expertise, and the nursing staff at Centre Community Hospital for their assistance in participant recruitment.

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Corwin, E.J., Bozoky, I., Pugh, L.C. et al. Interleukin-1ß elevation during the postpartum period. ann. behav. med. 25, 41–47 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1207/S15324796ABM2501_06

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1207/S15324796ABM2501_06

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