Postpartum Depression: When Should Health Care Providers Identify Those at Risk?

Maternal postpartum depression (PPD) has an impact on mothers and infants. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends screening for PPD at well-child visits during the first 6 months. We conducted a secondary data analysis of depression screening data collected each month during months 1 to 12 postpartum for 152 mothers with an infant participating in a randomized controlled trial. We used descriptive statistics to describe the incidence and the cumulative incidence of a positive PPD screen during months 1 to 12 postpartum. The results indicate that the initial positive screen for PPD can occur any time during the first 12 months postpartum and 15% had their first positive screen between months 6 and 12. Additionally, positive PPD screens are consistently high throughout the first year postpartum with the highest rate of positive screens at 12 months postpartum (23%). Our data suggest that PPD screening through 12 months may be most beneficial for families.