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Postpartum Depression in High-Risk Pregnancies: Findings from a Telepsychiatry-Based Longitudinal Follow-Up
Fatma Seher Kocaayan1,2, Beyza Türk1, Elif Tatlıdil1
1Department of Psychiatry, Kocaeli University Research and Application Hospital, 41001 Kocaeli, Türkiye.
Journal of Clinical Medicine
|July 28, 2026
Summary
Postpartum depression (PPD) affects 32.7% of high-risk mothers, linked to low marital satisfaction and social support. Telepsychiatry shows promise for early PPD identification in vulnerable populations.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Obstetrics
- Public Health
Background:
- Postpartum depression (PPD) is a critical public health concern, especially for high-risk pregnancies.
- Medical complexities in high-risk pregnancies heighten maternal vulnerability to PPD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine PPD prevalence in high-risk mothers.
- To identify factors associated with PPD in this cohort.
- To evaluate a telepsychiatry-based longitudinal follow-up model for PPD assessment.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal pilot study of 58 high-risk pregnant women in Turkey.
- Face-to-face assessments within 72 hours postpartum, followed by telepsychiatric evaluations at 1 and 2 months.
- PPD diagnosis using DSM-5 criteria, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS).
Main Results:
- Cumulative PPD prevalence was 32.7% within two months postpartum.
- Low marital satisfaction (OR = 26.13), low perceived social support (OR = 0.90), fetal anomaly (OR = 15.10), and lower spousal education (OR = 17.19) were associated with PPD.
- Comorbid medical conditions and stressful life events were not significant in the final model.
Conclusions:
- PPD prevalence is higher in this high-risk cohort than in the general population.
- Psychosocial factors like marital satisfaction and social support are strongly linked to PPD.
- Telepsychiatry is a feasible model for postpartum mental health assessment and early PPD identification in vulnerable women.
