Effectiveness of Postpartum Depression Screening During Well-Child Care

In prior studies, screening for postpartum depression (PPD) has improved rates of detection, treatment, and PPD symptoms, but possible benefits on parenting or child development remain unexamined.

In the current quasi-experimental study, researchers assessed the effectiveness of PPD screening in improving outcomes in mothers and children through early detection and treatment. They assigned more than 3000 mothers of newborns receiving care at Dutch well-child care centers (WCCs) to receive either PPD screening with a standardized self-report tool (at 1, 3, and 6 months postpartum) or usual care. Mothers identified at high risk for major depression were referred to their primary care doctors or a mental health care professional. Mothers identi…