title: Postpartum depression in mothers of infants in neonatal intensive care unit: risk factors and management strategies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to assess incidence, risk factors, and management strategies for Postpartum depression (PPD) in mothers of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) infants.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 131 mothers completed the study assessment tool (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale with additional questions). Score of 10 or above was considered to indicate risk for PPD (subclinical depression). Risk factors were examined with particular emphasis on length of stay (LOS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Approximately 19.1% of mothers experienced (subclinical) PPD. Depression during current and previous pregnancy, and problems with current delivery were strong predicting risk factors for PPD. As the LOS increased beyond 2 weeks, the odds of PPD risks initially increased, then leveled off, and then decreased after 31 days.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We recommend that the mothers of NICU infants be routinely screened for PPD and aggressively treated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Mercy Hospital and Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois.
authors.forename: Rohitkumar
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vasa
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Systems Science, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.
authors.forename: Kamal
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Eldeirawi
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Mercy Hospital and Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois.
authors.forename: Vipin George
authors.initials: VG
authors.lastname: Kuriakose
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Mercy Hospital and Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois.
authors.forename: Jijo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nair G
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Mercy Hospital and Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois.
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Newsom
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Mercy Hospital and Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois.
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bates
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015279:Organizational Culture; D011247:Pregnancy; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult