Ketamine and esketamine for the prevention of postpartum depression: A systematic review and network meta-analysis, with an integrated evidence synthesis.
Isis Lunsky, Gilmar Gutierrez, Xena Wang, Andrea Zhuang, Yanbo Zhang, Gustavo Vazquez, Venkat Bhat, Shaina Archer, Atul Khullar, Carson Chrenek, Jennifer Swainson
Psychiatry research September 1, 2026 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2026.117221 via PubMed
Summary
Ketamine and esketamine treatments may lower the risk of postpartum depression (PPD), but the quality of the evidence is low to very low. This review analyzed 36 studies, including randomized controlled trials and observational studies, focusing on the effects of these interventions during pregnancy or postpartum. While results suggest that these treatments are well tolerated and could help prevent PPD, caution is advised due to the limitations in current data and psychiatric practice guidelines.
Study at a glance
| Design | systematic review |
|---|---|
| Population | studies involving pregnant or postpartum individuals at risk for PPD |
| Key finding | Ketamine and esketamine treatment may be associated with a reduced risk of developing postpartum depression. |
Abstract
Postpartum Depression (PPD) is a common condition with serious consequences for both mother and baby if left untreated. Currently, few effective strategies exist for prevention of PPD. Ketamine and Esketamine are rapid acting and potent antidepressants, and emerging evidence is showing promising results for PPD. This review searched the MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases, including peer-reviewed randomized controlled trials (RCT), pilot studies, and observational studies. The articles studied the effects of ketamine or esketamine interventions on PPD prevention, when administered during pregnancy or postpartum for both c-section and vaginal deliveries. A network meta-analysis (for RCTs) and narrative synthesis (for other study designs) approach was used to analyze the effects of these treatments. Qualitative analysis employed the Cochrane risk of bias tool and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE). Thirty-six studies were identified, five included vaginal delivery, thirty included c-section, and one study did not specify delivery mode. The results of the network meta-analysis and the narrative synthesis suggested that ketamine and esketamine treatment were well tolerated, and may be associated with a reduced risk of developing PPD. However, it is worth highlighting that the quality of the data was low to very low, as such these results should be interpreted with caution. This review suggested that ketamine and esketamine treatment may lower PPD risk. Nevertheless, the poor quality and scarcity of the data, and the limitations presented by current psychiatric practice guidelines, highlight the need for more high-quality, adequately powered studies.