title: Depression among mothers of high-risk infants discharged from a neonatal intensive care unit.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study investigated potential associations between maternal depression and specific infant health conditions, smoking, and socioeconomic characteristics among mothers of high-risk infants during medical follow-up visits.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional self-report, and interview data were collected from 114 mothers of high-risk infants previously discharged from a neonatal intensive care unit. Mothers were assessed at a postdischarge clinic visit.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Prevalence rates for a Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale score ≥ 16) suggestive of a depressive disorder exceeded 20% at all time points for this sample of predominantly low-income, minority-race mothers. A greater number of mothers who had infants with a highly visible illness (e.g., surgical necrotizing enterocolitis) were depressed. Depression was also associated with the presence of a household smoker, younger age, and less education and income.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Given the prevalence rates, routine screening for postpartum depression in mothers of high-risk infants is imperative, with particular attention to the infant's health, smoking, and socioeconomic variables.
authors: Department of Family and Community Medicine at University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, TX, USA. Thomas.F.Northrup@uth.tmc.edu
authors: Thomas F
authors: TF
authors: Northrup
authors: Patricia W
authors: PW
authors: Evans
authors: Angela L
authors: AL
authors: Stotts
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D015931:Intensive Care, Neonatal / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult