[A comparison of mother-child joint admission for postnatal mental disorders in different countries]

Postnatal depression is among the most frequent mental disorders in young women (incidence 10-15 %). Besides depressive illness, however anxiety disorder, stress disorder and psychosis play an important role as well. These disorders have not only negative impact on women's mental health, but may also adversely affect the child's development as well as the mother-child relationship. Inpatient mother-child care as established e. g. at the Heidelberg University Hospital offers adequate treatment without the need for the mother to separate from her child. In a retrospective study a profile of the women treated at the Psychiatric Department of the University Hospital Heidelberg was developed which reflects the psychological and social stress in their life situations. In order to gain an overview on the specific treatment options the data were then compared with those of other national and international centres. Analysis of demand shows that this mother-child psychiatric care is well accepted by the population and that there is a considerable need for adequate in- and outpatient care of postnatal mental disorders.