Screening for Postpartum Depression at 0 to 12-Month Pediatric Visits.

Area of Science:

• Maternal Health
• Pediatric Care
• Mental Health Screening

Background:

• Postpartum depression (PPD) affects nearly 6% of new mothers within the first year postpartum.
• Undiagnosed and untreated PPD increases maternal mortality risk, particularly in the latter half of the postpartum period.

Purpose of the Study:

• To implement and evaluate a PPD Screening and Referral Pathway in a pediatric clinic setting.
• To assess the feasibility and effectiveness of integrating PPD screening into routine pediatric care for mothers and infants.

Main Methods:

• A pediatric clinic team received education on a standardized PPD Pathway.
• The pathway involved using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) for screening, referral to behavioral health, and tracking.

Main Results:

• 112 mothers were screened over 15 weeks, with 25% screening positive for PPD.
• Positive screens peaked between 9.5 to 12 months postpartum (80%).
• The clinic team expressed a desire to continue the PPD Pathway, adopting it as a quality measure.

Conclusions:

• Pediatric providers can address a critical gap in maternal care by screening for PPD.
• A standardized PPD Pathway is an effective, feasible, and sustainable approach for pediatric clinics.