[Changes in urinary levels of MHPG, VMA and 5-HIAA and plasma tryptophan in post-partum blues. Initial results].

In post-partum depressive illness ("post-partum blue") we measured urinary MHPG, VMA, 5-HIAA and free and total Trp. VMA and especially MHPG reflect the brain noradrenaline metabolism. Trp is the precursor of 5-HT synthesis and 5-HIAA is the main urinary catabolite of 5-HT. The clinical evaluation consisted in self-evaluation scales: Pitt scale 1, 3 and 5 days after delivery, CESD scale of NIMH (depression) and BONIS scale (anxiety) at 6th day. Moreover a psychiatrist measured depression intensity on the MADRS scale and DSM III data. First results seem to indicate a decrease of free MHPG and VMA, an increase of 5-HIAA and no alteration of free and total Trp. These modifications could involve adrenergic and serotoninergic alterations in brain.