The Dexamethasone Suppression Test in the Puerperium

Abstract

A consecutive series of 45 women admitted to an obstetric unit were given the dexamethasone suppression test (DST) on days three to five post-partum, 82% being abnormal. The likelihood of an abnormal DST on one or both occasions increased linearly across the days of testing. Subjects completed the Beck self-report depression measure and the General Health Questionnaire at baseline and at six weeks. Baseline cortisol levels were not associated with baseline morbidity as assessed on the questionnaires and were not predictive of morbidity assessed at the six-week follow-up. It is concluded that the immediate post-partum period be included as a false-positive influence on the DST.