Post-Up Study: Postpartum Depression Screening in Well-Child Care and Maternal Outcomes

Abstract

Implementation of screening for postpartum depression in WCC should be seriously considered given its positive effects on maternal mental health. The benefits of optimizing the trajectory after screening on maternal and child outcomes need further attention.

The role of elective and emergency cesarean delivery in maternal postpartum anhedonia, anxiety, and depression

“…In addition to the reproductive system changes and a reversion to nonpregnant physiology, women undergoes psychosocial changes after delivery, transitioning to parenthood, the re‐establishment of relationships, and working to address the physical and emotional needs of a neonate and other family members . If unmitigated, postpartum stressors can lead to fatigue, anxiety, and decreased self‐care; these factors have been associated with increased risk of physical and mental illness, including postpartum depression (PPD) …”

Peer Review #1 of "Association of late-onset postpartum depression of mothers with expressive language development during infancy and early childhood: the HBC study (v0.1)"

“…Mothers were not given any incentives to complete the EPDS questionnaires. The EPDS scores were dichotomized with a cut-off value of 9, which is the diagnostic score validated by other studies conducted in Japan (Tamaki, Murata & Okano, 1997;Yamashita et al, 2000;Yoshida et al, 2001). Three PPD categories were defined: early-onset PPD (defined as at least one EPDS ≥ 9 within 4 weeks postpartum); late-onset PPD (defined as at least one EPDS ≥ 9 during 5 to 12weeks postpartum but not within 4 weeks); and no PPD (defined as no EPDS ≥ 9; Mori et al, 2011).…”

“…Although previous work has documented the high prevalence of PPD and its potentially serious outcomes among parturients (including suicide; Rodriguez-Cabezas & Clark, 2018), PPD has remained a major public health concern worldwide. Thus, specialists have recommended that parturients should be more closely observed during their first year postpartum (van der Zee-van den Berg et al, 2017). Apart from maternal outcomes, one major concern of PPD is that it may compromise neurodevelopment in the offspring -particularly their language skills (Keim et al, 2011;Quevedo et al, 2011).…”

"It's More Than Just ""Baby Blues"" - Screening for Postpartum Depression in a Pediatric Setting"

“…Children of mothers who have suffered from PPD had more difficulties in their cognitive, social-emotional and language development, and had higher levels of internalizing and externalizing behavior, as well as general psychopathology later in life (van der Zee-van den Berg, Boere-Boonekamp, IJzerman et SCREENING FOR PPD IN A PEDIATRIC SETTING19 al., 2017). Early detection, support, and treatment can promote rapid recovery of the mother and may reduce the effects of PPD on the child's development (van der Zee-van den Berg, Boere-Boonekamp,Groothuis-Oudshoorn et al, 2017). Implementing a screening protocol in primary care with an instrument such as the PHQ-9 can improve early detection.…”

“…Well-child visits, however, provide frequent contact with mothers during the first postpartum year, which makes well-child visits an apt screening setting. Pediatric care providers can build a trusting relationship with the mother, offer repeated screening, and encourage mothers to seek further treatment when necessary (van der Zee-van den Berg, Boere-Boonekamp,Groothuis-Oudshoorn et al, 2017).…”