New postpartum depression data have been reported by F. Mancini and co-authors
2007 NOV 22 -- "Postpartum depression is a clinical depressive episode that occurs in 13% to 20% of women after birth or miscarriage. This illness has potentially devastating consequences for both mother and infant, and is thought to be highly underreported and under-diagnosed," scientists writing in the Journal of Midwifery & Womens Health report. "Our study examined the use of the Postpartum Depression Screening Scale (PDSS) in a high-volume collaborative obstetric and midwifery practice. The prevalence of women with a positive screen for major postpartum depression in our study was 16%, which is consistent with other studies. An additional 20% of the participants had symptoms that indicated a potential postpartum depression. Obstetric clinicians were willing to use the PDSS, and 15 of 20 clinicians actively participated in the study. Women who had a positive screen at 6 weeks after birth were more likely to have not completed a high school education, be unpartnered, be exclusively bottle feeding, and have a history of depression," wrote F. Mancini and colleagues. The researchers concluded: "Two variables were statistically significant predictors of screening positively with the PDSS following logistic regression: history of depression (risk ratio, 4.8; 95% confidence interval, 4.4-5.2) and exclusive bottle feeding (risk ratio, 2.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.6-2.4)." Mancini and colleagues published their study in the Journal of Midwifery & Womens Health (Use of the postpartum depression screening scale in a collaborative obstetric practice. Journal of Midwifery & Womens Health, 2007;52(5):429-434). Additional information can be obtained by contacting F. Mancini, 211 Bryn Mawr SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106, USA. The publisher of the Journal of Midwifery & Womens Health can be contacted at: Elsevier Science Inc., 360 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10010-1710, USA. Keywords: United States, Albuquerque, Postpartum Depression, Women's Health. This article was prepared by Women's Health Weekly editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, Women's Health Weekly via NewsRx.com.
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