Utilization of Postpartum Depression Screening in the Pediatric Emergency Department.
5.6% of mothers screened positive for postpartum depression in the pediatric ED
Utilization of Postpartum Depression Screening in the Pediatric Emergency Department.
Postpartum depression (postpartum depression) is a common complication of childbirth with significant implications for maternal and child health.
To evaluate the feasibility and utilization of Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale) screening for postpartum depression among mothers of children 12 months or younger presenting to a pediatric emergency department and to describe the demographics of screened patients.
We conducted a retrospective descriptive study of Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale screening implemented as a quality improvement initiative in an urban academic pediatric emergency department between May 15, 2023 and November 30, 2023.
A total of 734 Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale screens were completed.
Of these, 17 (41%) had infants aged 6 to 12 months.
Maternal mental health resources were offered to 37 (90.2%) mothers with positive screens.
The screened population was predominantly white (41.1%) and Hispanic (41.1%).
Postpartum depression screening in the pediatric emergency department for mothers of children up to 12 months of age is feasible and may identify at-risk mothers.
pediatric emergency department-based screening may help address gaps in maternal mental health care for underserved populations.