Screening for Postpartum Depression at Well-Child Visits: Is Once Enough During The First Six Months of Life?

Abstract

Background: Universal screening for maternal depression is gaining acceptance as a standard component of well-child care, justified by the prevalence of pathology and the opportunity for repeated screening. The first purpose of this study was to determine both the prevalence and incidence of maternal depression at well-child visits during the first six postpartum months. The second purpose was to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and utility of using electronically generated reminders to improve compliance with both the detection and referral phases of screening for maternal postpartum depression at well-child visits.