Open AccessFeasibility of universal screening for postpartum mood and anxiety disorders among caregivers of infants hospitalized in NICUs: a systematic review
Author(s) -
Snehal Murthy,
Laurel Haeusslein,
Stephen Bent,
Elizabeth Fitelson,
Linda S. Franck,
Christina Mangurian
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of perinatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.912
H-Index - 94
eISSN - 1476-5543
pISSN - 0743-8346
DOI - 10.1038/s41372-021-01005-w
Subject(s) - medicine , anxiety , referral , neonatal intensive care unit , mood , inclusion (mineral) , multidisciplinary approach , depression (economics) , mental health , incidence (geometry) , intensive care , medline , psychiatry , family medicine , pediatrics , intensive care medicine , psychology , social psychology , social science , physics , sociology , optics , economics , macroeconomics , political science , law
This systematic review evaluated the feasibility of implementing universal screening programs for postpartum mood and anxiety disorder (PMAD) among caregivers of infants hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Four moderate quality post-implementation cohort studies satisfied inclusion criteria (n = 2752 total participants). All studies included mothers; one study included fathers or partners. Screening included measures of depression and post-traumatic stress. Screening rates ranged from 48.5% to 96.2%. The incidence of depression in mothers ranged from 18% to 43.3% and was 9.5% in fathers. Common facilitators included engaging multidisciplinary staff in program development and implementation, partnering with program champions, and incorporating screening into routine clinical practice. Referral to mental health treatment was the most significant barrier. This systematic review suggests that universal PMAD screening in NICUs may be feasible. Further research comparing a wider range of PMAD screening tools and protocols is critical to address these prevalent conditions with significant consequences for parents and infants.