New mothers have long been known to suffer depression after the birth of a baby. New research shows that more than 10 percent of fathers also suffer prenatal or postpartum depression, according Virginia Medical School researcher James F. Paulson, PhD.

The findings come from a meta-analysis of 43 studies involving 28,004 men. According to the data, depression among new fathers seems to be at its worst three to six months after a baby is born. If mom suffers postpartum depression, dad is more likely to, as well. American fathers were among the most troubled, with a 14 percent rate of depression, compared to only 8 percent internationally.

SOURCE: Journal of the American Medical Association, 2010, vol 303: pp 1961-1969.

Tags: depression, fathers, postpartum