Perinatal Depression In Women Research Articles

THERAPEUTIC STRATEGIES FOR THE TREATMENT OF PERINATAL DEPRESSION: An integrative review

Perinatal depression can occur during pregnancy and/or in the following year after childbirth, with adverse repercussions for maternal and child health if left untreated. The aim of this study is to characterize the therapeutic strategies found in the literature for the treatment of perinatal depression in women. An integrative literature review was conducted in the Virtual Health Library and Pubmed databases in December 2023, using the following controlled descriptors: depression; depression, postpartum; pregnancy; pregnant women and treatment. The results came to a final sample of 15 articles and revealed that all of them were conducted in high-income countries. The majority of the studies belonged to the quantitative approach (86.67%) and presented five main therapeutic strategies: bright light therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, group music therapy and zuranolone. The review indicated bright light therapy as a promising intervention for perinatal depression, although it requires further studies. It demonstrated the positive impact of cognitive-behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy in different formats for this period. In postpartum depression, the study showed a favorable outcome for group musical interventions and the use of zuranolone medication for symptom management. It is suggested that future research be carried out using qualitative and qualitative-quantitative approaches, including in countries with limited resources.

RISK FACTORS OF PERINATAL DEPRESSION IN WOMEN: AN UPDATED SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Background: Perinatal depression (PND) can result in adverse outcomes for both mother and child, including poorer pregnancy outcomes and long-term emotional, social, and cognitive difficulties in children. Furthermore, it correlates with high morbidity and mortality rates, posing significant burdens on affected individuals, families, and society. The objective of this study is to conduct an extensive systematic review evaluating the risk factors of perinatal depression in women based on literature published within the last five years. Methods: The systematic review followed PRISMA 2020 standards and examined full-text English literature published between 2019 and 2024. This review excluded editorials, review papers from the same journal, and submissions without a DOI. Literature was sourced from online platforms such as PubMed, SagePub, and SpringerLink. Result: A total of 1,161 articles were retrieved from online databases (PubMed, SagePub, and SpringerLink). After three rounds of screening, five articles directly relevant to the systematic review were selected for full-text reading and analysis. Conclusion: Perinatal depression (PND) affects numerous women during and after childbirth, influenced by socioeconomic, psychosocial, and environmental factors like poverty, social support, pregnancy loss, and urban living. Early detection and comprehensive interventions are crucial to support at-risk mothers, promoting better mental health outcomes for both them and their families.

Acceptability of a Randomized Trial of Anti-depressant Medication or Interpersonal Therapy for Treatment of Perinatal Depression in Women with HIV

Postpartum depression (PPD) affects nearly 20% of postpartum women in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where HIV prevalence is high. Depression is associated with worse HIV outcomes in non-pregnant adults and mental health disorders may worsen HIV outcomes for postpartum women and their infants. PPD is effectively treated with psychosocial or pharmacologic interventions; however, few studies have evaluated the acceptability of treatment modalities in SSA. We analyzed interviews with 23 postpartum women with HIV to assess the acceptability of two depression treatments provided in the context of a randomized trial. Most participants expressed acceptability of treatment randomization and study visit procedures. Participants shared perceptions of high treatment efficacy of their assigned intervention. They reported ongoing HIV and mental health stigma in their communities and emphasized the importance of social support from clinic staff. Our findings suggest a full-scale trial of PPD treatment will be acceptable among women with HIV in Zambia.

The role of inflammation in the relationship between obesity and perinatal depression in women

The role of inflammation in the relationship between obesity and perinatal depression in women

The role of inflammation in the relationship between obesity and perinatal depression in women

The role of inflammation in the relationship between obesity and perinatal depression in women

Perinatal Anxiety and Depression (PAD) on COVID-19

Pregnancy is a complex and dynamic experience where women undergo significant physiological and psychological changes. These changes can cause an increased risk of developing anxiety and depression in perinatal women. Depression usually starts during pregnancy or gets worse after delivery. These changes and uncertainties can cause fear, anxiety, and depression symptoms in women who may have experienced perinatal anxiety and depression, even in women with low risk. The fear of infectious disease or the potential effect that may harm the fetus or the newborn baby will cause harm and depression in this population. Four pregnant and postpartum women diagnosed with COVID-19 in this case series experienced perinatal anxiety and depression, major depression, and adjustment disorder with mixed reactions of anxiety and depression. Patients are given pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapy. The pharmacological therapy was antidepressants and anti-anxiety, while the non-pharmacological therapy was given as supportive psychotherapy, relaxation therapy, and family psychoeducation. During the COVID-19 pandemic, psychotherapy was carried out using the telehealth method.

0666 Sleep Quality and Depression Among High-Risk Perinatal Women: Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted sleep and mood on a global scale. To date, a handful of studies have reported on sleep and mood in perinatal women during the pandemic. They suggest that many pregnant women have poor sleep quality and depression. However, since these studies are cross-sectional with no comparison group, it is difficult to determine whether they are suffering more now. Methods The current study compared sleep quality and the presence of likely clinical depression in perinatal women from two studies (one prior to the pandemic (~1998)) and one during the pandemic (Aug 2020 – April 2021). All women had a history of MDD/PPD. Sleep quality and depression were ascertained at ~36 weeks and 4 weeks postpartum for both groups. Sleep quality was characterized by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Depression was ascertained by the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HRDS) for the non-pandemic group and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) for the pandemic group. PSQI scores were analyzed continuously and categorically, while the depression scales were categorized according to published cutoffs. Results The Mage = 31.1 (4.2) and did not differ between groups; 84% were White. Sleep quality in late pregnancy did not differ between groups (7.62 (3.5) vs 7.16 (3.8), (ns), pre-pandemic vs pandemic), but they did differ at 1 month PP (7.10 (3.1) vs 8.7 (2.6), P < .001). The number of women who met criteria for depression in late pregnancy differed (28(41.1%) vs 7 (7.5%) X2 = 26.1, P < .001), but not at 1 month PP (9 (13.2%) vs 18(19.3%), X2 = 1.05, P = .31). Sleep quality in late pregnancy was correlated with whether a woman met criteria for depression during pregnancy (r = .22, P = .005), but not at 1-month postpartum (ns). Conclusion Our findings suggest that the pandemic negatively impacted sleep quality in the first month postpartum, but not the rate of depression. We interpret these findings with caution due to varying methodologies. The pre-pandemic group was a RCT of 4 drug treatment groups in postpartum, and the pandemic group women used the SNOO®, a robotic, responsive bassinet. Support (If Any) Happiest Baby, Inc

Predictive validity of the Edinburgh postnatal depression scale and other tools for screening depression in pregnant and postpartum women: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

To compare the predictive validity of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and other tools for screening depression in pregnant and postpartum women through a systematic review and meta-analysis. An electronic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and PsycArticles databases was conducted using the following keywords: depression, perinatal-related terms, and EPDS. Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 was used to assess the risk of bias in diagnostic studies. The search identified 823 articles, of which 17 studies met the inclusion criteria. In 1831 pregnant women from nine studies, pooled sensitivity and specificity of the EPDS were 0.81 and 0.87, respectively, with summary receiver operating characteristic (sROC) curve of 0.90. In 515 postpartum women from six studies, pooled sensitivity, specificity, and sROC were 0.79, 0.92, and 0.90, respectively. We then compared the EPDS with other tools using three or more studies. The sROC curve of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 was 0.74, which was lower than that (0.86) of the EPDS. The sROC curve of the Beck Depression Inventory and the ten-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale was 0.91, similar to that of the EPDS (0.90 and 0.87). However, in comparison with the Postpartum Depression Screening Scale (0.98), the sROC curve of the EPDS was 0.54. As a tool specialized for screening depression in pregnant and postpartum women, the EPDS showed excellent performance. Thus, the EPDS can be used in preference to other tools to screen for depression in perinatal women at a primary care setting or a midwifery center.

Risk factors of perinatal depression in women: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundPerinatal depression in women is associated with high morbidity and mortality, and has attracted increasing attention. The investigation of risk factors of perinatal depression in women may contribute to the early identification of depressed or depression-prone women in clinical practice.Material and MethodsA computerized systematic literature search was made in Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE from January 2009 to October 2021. All included articles were published in English, which evaluated factors influencing perinatal depression in women. Based on the recommendations of the Cochrane Collaboration protocols, Review Manager 5.3 was used as a statistical platform.ResultsThirty-one studies with an overall sample size of 79,043 women were included in the review. Educational level (P = 0.0001, odds ratio [OR]: 1.40, 95% CI: [1.18,1.67]), economic status of families (P = 0.0001, OR: 1.69, 95%CI: [1.29,2.22]), history of mental illness (P < 0.00001, OR: 0.29, 95% CI: [0.18, 0.47]), domestic violence (P < 0.00001, OR: 0.24, 95% CI: [0.17,0.34]), perinatal smoking or drinking (P = 0.005, OR: 0.63; 95% CI [0.45, 0.87]; P = 0.008, OR: 0.43, 95% CI, [0.23 to 0.80]; respectively), and multiparity(P = 0.0003, OR: 0.74, 95% CI: [0.63, 0.87]) were correlated with perinatal depression in women. The stability of our pooled results was verified by sensitivity analysis and publication bias was not observed based on funnel plot results.ConclusionLower educational level, poor economic status of families, history of mental illness, domestic violence, perinatal smoking or drinking, and multiparity serve as risk factors of perinatal depression in women.

Covid-19 pandemic and postnatal depression, risk factors for postnatal depression

Objective: To evaluate the effects of Covid-19 pandemic on mental health of women in the perinatal period, with an accent on the intensity of depressive symptomatology, and explore the relationship between the specific aspects of Covid-19 pandemic and the registered risk factors for perinatal depression in women. Methods: The study sample consisted of 54 patients, with heterogeneous demographic characteristics (age, marital status, educational background, socio[1]economic status and religious affiliation) selected from the Cabinet for women with perinatal mental health issues at the University Clinic for Psychiatry in Skopje, where they were treated in the period from January 2020 until December 2021 The included patients met the criteria for the diagnosis F.32 during pregnancy, or F32.01/F32.02 postpartum depression in compliance to the ICD 10, and were treated accordingly with a combined approach using psychological interventions and psychopharmaceutic treatment encompassing antidepressant, anxiolytic, antipsychotic, mood stabilizing drugs or a combination of the above mentioned. The inclusion criteria mandated that they were pregnant or had a child in the past two years. The participants could have been subjected to inpatient, or outpatient treatment, or a combination of both modalities during this time. In order to minimize the risk of infection during pandemic times, and protect the health of participants and researchers, the interviews were conducted via telephone beginning with obtaining an informed consent for participation in the study from the patients who were primarily informed in detail about the aims of the study, their rights and protection of their data and anonymity. We used the following methodology: - A structured, non-standardized socio-demographic questionnaire including 11 items regarding age, parity, realized pregnancies, course of pregnancy and delivery, type of treatment, pharmacological therapy, marital status, socio-economic status, educational background, religious affiliation and presence of previously established risk factors in the world literature; - A structured, non-standardized questionnaire regarding the effects of Covid-19 pandemic consisting of 11 questions; - Edinburgh Depression Perinatal Scale (EDPS) This is a 10-questions self-reported scale, which proved to be a valuable and efficient tool for screening perinatal depression. Namely, a presence of clinical depression was registered in 17.2% of the included participants using the EDPS, the percentage of perinatal depression before the COVID-19 pandemic ranged between 10-14% and has been presented in the literature. Of these, 37.8% were registered in Spain, and 40.7% in Canada [3]. Results: The statistical analysis of data from the structured non-standardized questionnaire for the effects of Covid-19 pandemic showed no statistical significance in the subjectively reported effects from the pandemic on participants’ mental health based on the question from the structured non-standardized Covid-19 questionnaire “Do you feel that the Covid-19 pandemic had an effect on your mental health prior or after the childbirth?” where 55.6% answered with “Yes” and 44.4% with “No”. In spite of this, we gained a perspective of the prevailing risk factors in this population and the correlational analysis of data from the questionnaires granted us insights into further investigation of the relationship between the co-variables.

Using computerised adaptive tests to screen for perinatal depression in underserved women of colour

BackgroundCompared with traditional screening questionnaires, computerised adaptive tests for severity of depression (CAT-DI) and computerised adaptive diagnostic modules for depression (CAD-MDD) show improved precision in screening for major depressive disorder....

Perinatal depression in Pakistan: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

To estimate the prevalence and associated risk factors of perinatal depression in Pakistan. We conducted a systematic search of Medline, PsycINFO, CINAHL, EMBASE, and Global health, up through May 31, 2019. Studies reporting on the prevalence of perinatal depression in Pakistan with or without associated risks factors were included. Forty-three studies reporting data from 17544 women met the eligibility criteria and were included. Overall, the pooled prevalence of antenatal depression was 37% (95% CI: 30-44), while that of postnatal depression was 30% (95% CI: 25-36). The prevalence of perinatal depression in women residing in urban areas and those living in rural settings was not significantly different. The most frequently reported risk factors for antenatal depression were intimate partner violence and poor relationship with spouse, and that reported for postnatal depression was low-income level. An unintended pregnancy was significantly associated with perinatal depression in Pakistan. We identified variability in prevalence rate of perinatal depression in Pakistan. It is difficult to gauge the true magnitude of this problem potentially due to differing risk factors between the antenatal and postnatal periods and the lack of uniformity of data collection protocols and procedures. The high prevalence rates of 30%-37% compared to global estimates suggest policy makers and stakeholders should direct additional resources toward improving perinatal mental health in Pakistan.

Inflammatory markers of perinatal depression in women with and without history of trauma.

Increased inflammation has been described as consistently associated with depression. Moreover, the pro-inflammatory pattern was found in women with a history of trauma irrespective of major depression diagnosis. In this study, we explored the possible association of inflammatory markers with perinatal depression (PND), measuring serum levels of cytokines (IL-6, TNF-a, IFN-γ), acute phase proteins (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), cortisol and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in women at the second trimester of pregnancy. Moreover, we tested whether the biological markers were correlated with the severity of PND, trauma history and resilience level. Seventy-nine women including two groups of patients (women with PND at the second trimester of pregnancy with and without history of trauma) and two healthy control groups (inside and outside the peripartum) were enrolled. Blood sampling were collected for measuring putative biological markers. Clinical interview, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), Inventory of Traumatic experiences (TEC), Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) were administered. Women with PND and trauma reported a higher EPDS (p=0.004) and lower CD-RISC scores compared to other groups (F=34.77; p<0.001). The one-way ANOVA analysis showed lower ERS (F=2.87; p=0.040), CRP (F42=4.05; p=0.010) mean values among PND women without trauma and higher TNF-α mean values (F=6.07; p=0.001) among PND women with trauma history compared to other groups. History of trauma was associated with a more severe clinical phenotype of PND and decreased resilience level. The increase of acute phase proteins in women with PND and higher TNF-a level in those with trauma exposure validated the inflammatory theory of PND. Our findings substantiated the need of implementing the screening of pregnant women with the assessment of trauma history. Properly, resilience-enhancing interventions are recommended with the aim of support mothers and mitigate the possible transgenerational transmission of pathology. The biological results are compelling although preliminary.

Paternal perinatal depression: cases.

For many years there has been a debate among psychiatrists as to whether and how the patient's gender modifies the psychopathological picture of depression. Despite many years of research on trigger mechanisms, clinical features and the consequences of perinatal depression in women, one can still get the impression that too little is known about this mental disorder in the perinatal period in women. As for men, there are only few reports showing the consequences of paternal depression for the physical and emotional development of a newborn child. The article describes several cases of male patients who struggled with symptoms of depression in the perinatal period of their partners. In all stories one can find a cause-and-effect relationship between the episode of depression and the perinatal period. In spite of similar life circumstances and traits characteristic of depression in men, many differences in the course of the illness were also observed. Each of the patients required pharmacological treatment. Depending on the clinical and life situation, parallel psychotherapy was recommended, and in one case 24-hour hospitalization. In one of the men, an important trigger factor was the episode of postpartum depression in the partner. In the depressive state, all three men had to temporarily give up their care role in relation to their partner and then the child. Applied comprehensive treatment in all three fathers brought symptomatic and functional remission. Good mental health translated into a good adaptation to care for a little child and satisfaction as a father. The article presents perinatal depression in fathers as a real clinical problem that requires further in-depth research.

Perinatal Depression of Exposed Maternal Women in the COVID-19 Pandemic in Wuhan, China.

Objective: This study aims to investigate perinatal depression in women who gave birth during the COVID-19 pandemic in Wuhan, and to evaluate the effect of the pandemic on perinatal depression prevalence.Methods: A cross-sectional investigation was conducted into women hospitalized for delivery in Hubei Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital from December 31, 2019 to March 22, 2020, a period which encompasses the entire time frame of the COVID-19 pandemic in Wuhan. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was adopted to evaluate perinatal depression status. A Chi-square test and logistic regression model were utilized for data analysis.Results: A total of 2,883 participants were included, 33.71% of whom were found to suffer from depressive symptoms. In detail, 27.02%, 5.24%, and 1.46% were designated as having mild, moderate, and severe depressive symptoms, respectively. The perinatal depression prevalence increased as the COVID-19 pandemic worsened. Compared to the period from December 31, 2019 to January 12, 2020, perinatal depression risk significantly decreased within the 3 weeks of March 2–22, 2020 (1st week: OR = 0.39, 95% CI: 0.20, 0.78; 2nd week: OR = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.17, 0.73; and 3rd week: OR = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.25, 0.94); and the postnatal depression risk significantly rose within the four weeks of January 27-February 23, 2020 (1st week: OR = 1.78, 95% CI: 1.18, 2.68; 2nd week: OR = 2.03, 95% CI: 1.35, 3.04; 3rd week: OR = 1.48, 95% CI: 1.02, 2.14; and 4th week: OR = 1.73, 95% CI: 1.20, 2.48).Conclusion: The dynamic change of perinatal depression was associated with the progression of the COVID-19 pandemic among new mothers who were exposed to the pandemic. An elevated risk of postnatal depression was also observed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Depresja okołoporodowa u ojców — niezauważalny obszar w psychiatrii

Specialists have been discussing for many years about gender effects on the psychopathology of depression. Despite decades of research on perinatal depression in women, it is still possible to get mpression that we know too little about this mental disorder in the perinatal period. In addition, it turns out that a similar clinical phenomenon can also affect men (who will or have been recently fathers). In this area there are few reports of the consequences of depression in father. They emphasize the significant impact of disease not only on live of adult family members, but also perhapsespecially on physical and emotional development of newborn child. The purpose of the article is to describe the perinatal depression in fathers, as it appears in daily clinical practice. The results of a few reports describing perinatal depression of men tend to be poorly understood disorder and therefore requiring further research.

The Effect of Perinatal Fish Oil Supplement on Perinatal Depression: A Systemic Review and Meta- Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials

Background: Perinatal depression is a common complication of pregnancy and can have severe and long-termadverse effects on both mother and infant. Randomized controlled trials (RCT) assessing the effect of fish oilsupplements on perinatal depression have shown mixed results.Objectives: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the effects of fish oil supplementation during pregnancy on perinatal depression.Methods: A comprehensive search of MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Registry were conducted in adherence with the PRISMA guideline. Only RCTs published in English from January 2000 to date were included. The participants were pregnant women receiving fish oil supplementation or placebo. Summary effect measure of each study was converted to a common effect measure (log odds ratio) and its variance was calculated to estimate the pooled odds ratio and its 95% confidence Interval using random Effects model. Heterogeneity was assessed used restricted maximum likelihood method.Results: Nine trials were included in our analysis (2,979 women). Prevention Cohort (n = 5): Fish oil supplementation during pregnancy was associated with reduced risk of developing perinatal depression (OR: 0.87; CI: 0.076 to 0.99; p = 0.03). Treatment Cohort (n = 4) Fish oil supplementation during pregnancy was associated with reduced risk of persistent perinatal depression during postpartum period but did not reach statistical significance.Conclusion: In conclusion, a meta-analysis of included RCTs data shows a significant reduction in incidences of perinatal depression in women who received fish oil supplements during pregnancy. However, there was no evidence for a similar effect among women diagnosed with perinatal depression or women with major depressive disorder.

Internet-delivered psychological interventions for clinical anxiety and depression in perinatal women: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Perinatal anxiety and depression are common and associated with negative outcomes if left untreated. Internet-delivered treatments can improve treatment accessibility and have demonstrated effectiveness in treating anxiety and depression in the general adult population. However, little is known about how effective and acceptable these interventions are for perinatal women. This paper describes a systematic review and preliminary meta-analysis of internet-delivered psychological interventions for the treatment of clinical anxiety and depression in perinatal women. A systematic search was carried out of seven electronic databases. Seven studies evaluating six distinct internet-delivered psychological interventions were identified. Of the seven studies included, two were open trials and five were randomized controlled trials with a total of 595 participants. Preliminary findings indicate large improvements in depression (Hedges g = 1.67; 95% CI 1.38-1.96) and anxiety (Hedges g = 1.08; 95% CI 0.80-1.36) from pre- to post-treatment. However, between-group differences between interventions and control conditions were only moderate for depression (Hedges g = 0.60; 95% CI 0.43-0.78) and anxiety (Hedges g = 0.54; 95% CI 0.24-0.85). While our preliminary findings are promising, this review identifies an area of research still in its early stages with significant gaps in the literature that need to be addressed. Further research is needed to establish the efficacy and acceptability of these interventions in this population, especially for antenatal depression and anxiety disorders.

The relationship between salivary cortisol and perinatal depression in women undergoing termination of pregnancy for fetal anomaly: A prospective cohort study

BackgroundThe hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis plays a crucial role in the neurobiological pathways for depression. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between salivary cortisol and depression in women before and after termination of pregnancy due to fetal anomaly. Study designA prospective cohort study was conducted. One-way ANOVA and linear correlation were conducted to analyse the relationship between salivary cortisol and depression before and after termination of pregnancy. ResultsNo significant difference in morning and evening cortisol levels between women underwent TOP for fetal anomaly without depression and those with depression, but the women underwent TOP for fetal anomaly had significantly higher levels of morning and evening cortisol than women with healthy pregnancy. Cortisol awakening response was lower in women underwent termination of pregnancy, than in women with normal pregnancy; lower in women underwent termination of pregnancy with depression than in those women without depression. Cortisol awakening response also had a negative correlation with depression, and the correlation coefficients for cortisol awakening response and depression after TOP (R = 0.461) were higher than the correlation coefficients for cortisol awakening response and depression before TOP(R = 0.238). ConclusionsOur results were not only useful to support the hypothesis that hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis functioning would turn hypoactive, with depression progressing to increase in severity, but also helpful with insights into the predictive effects of cortisol awakening response in depression after TOP. We suggest that further research should be conducted on the relationship between salivary cortisol and depression before and after TOP for fetal anomaly.

Incorporating Recognition and Management of Perinatal Depression Into Pediatric Practice.

Perinatal depression is the most common obstetric complication in the United States, with prevalence rates of 15% to 20% among new mothers. Untreated, it can adversly affect the well-being of children and families throught increasing the risk for costly complications during birth and lead to deterioration of core supports, including partner relationships and social networks. Perinatal depression contributes to long-lasting, and even permanent, consequences for the physical and mental health of parents and children, including poor family functioning, increased risk of child abuse and neglect, delayed infant development, perinatal obstetric complications, challenges with breastfeeding, and costly increases in health care use. Perinatal depression can interfere with early parent-infant interaction and attachment, leading to potentially long-term disturbances in the child's physical, emotional, cognitive, and social development. Fortunately, perinatal depression is identifiable and treatable. The US Preventive Services Task Force, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and many professional organizations recommend routine universal screening for perinatal depression in women to facilitate early evidence-based treatment and referrals, if necessary. Despite significant gains in screening rates from 2004 to 2013, a minority of pediatricians routinely screen for postpartum depression, and many mothers are still not identified or treated. Pediatric primary care clinicians, with a core mission of promoting child and family health, are in an ideal position to implement routine postpartum depression screens at several well-child visits throughout infancy and to provide mental health support through referrals and/or the interdisciplinary services of a pediatric patient-centered medical home model.