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Screening for perinatal depression is now more important than ever

March 17, 2021 Written by Rhapsody Mason

Perinatal depression is one of the most common complications associated with pregnancy and childbirth making it twice as common as Gestational Diabetes (CDC, 2018). Not surprisingly, a new Canadian study suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic has exponentially increased anxiety and depression rates in prenatal women. The study indicates that the higher rates are associated with social isolation, relationship strain, maternal concerns with obtaining necessary care and threats of COVID-19 to the life of mother and baby (Lebel et al, 2020). Proper recognition and treatment of perinatal depression reduces maternal and child psychiatric symptoms, improves the quality of mother-child interactions and decreases risk of adverse childhood experiences (Pilowsky, 2008). Treatment may also avert adverse pregnancy outcomes related to antenatal depression (Venkatesh, 2016).

Regular and universal screening during and after pregnancy improves detection and treatment rates. Pregnant women should be offered screening ideally once each trimester and during her woman’s comprehensive postpartum visits (Postpartum Support International, 2021). The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that pediatricians screen at the 3, 9 and 12 month pediatric visits (Earls, 2019).
Illinois DocAssist Can Help! Visit our website to access:
  • Consultation for providers about screening diagnosing and treating perinatal mental health conditions
  • Online resources including screening tools, recommended patient resources, medication charts and treatment algorithms
References:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Division of Reproductive Health. Depression Among Women.https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/depression/index.htm. Accessed December 27, 2018.

Lebel, Catherine; MacKinnon, Anna; Bagshawe, Mercedes; Tomfohr-Madsen, Lianne; Giesbrecht, Gerald. Elevated depression and anxiety symptoms among pregnant individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Affective Disorders. 2020. Vol: 277, Page: 5-13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2020.07.126

Pilowsky DJ, Wickramaratne P, Talati A, Tang M, Hughes CW, Garber J, et al. Children of depressed mothers 1 year after the initiation of maternal treatment: findings from the STAR*D-Child Study. Am J Psychiatry (2008) 165(9):1136–47.10.1176/appi.ajp.2008.07081286

Venkatesh KK, Riley L, Castro VM, et al. Association of Antenatal Depression Symptoms and Antidepressant Treatment With Preterm Birth. Obstet Gynecol 2016; 127:926.

Postpartum Support International. “Screening Recommendations”, 10 Feb, 2021, https://www.postpartum.net/professionals/screening/.

Earls MF, Yogman MW, Mattson G, Rafferty J, COMMITTEE ON PSYCHOSOCIAL ASPECTS OF CHILD AND FAMILY HEALTH. Incorporating Recognition and Management of Perinatal Depression Into Pediatric Practice. Pediatrics. 2019 Jan;143(1) DOI: 10.1542/peds.2018-3259.

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