Research
The use of Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale to identify postnatal depression symptoms at well child visit
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* Corresponding author: Vincenzo Currò servpil@rm.unicatt.it
1 Department of Pediatrics, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
2 Department of Psychiatry, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
3 Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
Italian Journal of Pediatrics 2009, 35:32 doi:10.1186/1824-7288-35-32
Published: 28 October 2009Abstract
Objectives
1) to evaluate the role of the pediatrician in detecting postnatal depression (PD) symptoms by the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS); 2) to detect factors increasing the risk of PD and, 3) to assess the importance of scores gained from fathers' questionnaire.
Methods
we surveyed 1122 mothers and 499 fathers who were assessed using the EPDS during the first well-child visit. After 5 weeks, high scoring parents, completed a second EPDS. High scoring parents were examined by a psychiatrist who had to confirm the PD diagnosis.
Results
26.6% of mothers and 12.6% of fathers at the first visit, 19.0% of mothers and 9.1% of fathers at the second visit, gained scores signaling the risk of PD. Four mothers and two fathers had confirmed PD diagnosis. Younger maternal age, non-Italian nationality and low socio-economic condition were related to higher EPDS scores.
Conclusion
PD is common in the average population. Using a simple and standardized instrument, pediatricians are able to detect parents with higher risk of suffering from PD.