Postpartum Mood Disorders Screening in the NICU

Neonatal Netw. 2016;35(4):240-2. doi: 10.1891/0730-0832.35.4.240.

Abstract

Maternal depression is increasingly recognized as the leading complication of childbearing. A mother's mental health impacts the well-being and long-term outcomes of her children. This column will discuss a systematic approach to screening for maternal postpartum mood disorders (PPMDs) and referring women to resources according to an established algorithm. This work was undertaken in a tertiary referral NICU and performed by dedicated NICU personnel with the goals of optimizing NICU infants' outcomes and supporting maternal and family health and well-being.

MeSH terms

  • Depression, Postpartum / diagnosis*
  • Depression, Postpartum / psychology
  • Depression, Postpartum / therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Intensive Care Units, Neonatal*
  • Mother-Child Relations
  • Program Development
  • Referral and Consultation