WIP 27 - Postpartum Depression Screening for Mothers of Newborns Admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Publication Number: WIP 27.7556

Heather DeReus, UVA Childrens, Charlottesville, VA, United States; Caitlyn Arno, uva, Charlottesville, VA, United States; Lena Bichell, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States; Catherine Blackburn, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, FL, United States; Rebeca Esquivel-Zuniga, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States; Anna Hakkenberg, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States; Gisselle Palaca, UVA Childrens, Charlottesville, VA, United States; Abra Roberts, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States; Megan Vieira, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States; Mara Weigner, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States; Sarah M. Woods, UVA Childrens, Charlottesville, VA, United States; Jonathan R. Swanson, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States; Abigail VW. Kumral, University of Virginia School of Medicine, CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA, United States

Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) affects approximately 10-15% of women during the first year after delivery. Among these women, 54% of women experience PPD in the first month after delivery, 40% between months 2 and 4, and 6% between months 5 through 12. However, some measures have found that the risk of PPD doubles in parents with infants admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Currently, PPD screening occurs prior to discharge from the Newborn Nursery and then in the outpatient setting primarily at pediatric well child checks. However, among patients admitted to the NICU, PPD screening is frequently missed.

Objective: This project will screen mothers with newborns admitted to the NICU with the goal of increasing identification of PPD and referral to appropriate resources.

Design/Methods: Screening for PPD among mothers of newborns admitted to the NICU will be performed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), a validated scale available in multiple languages. During the newborn’s admission to the NICU, the mother will be screened at 2 distinct timepoints: ages 2 weeks and 2 months. The EPDS will be given to the mother by the baby’s bedside nurse to complete. Bedside nursing will then score the EPDS and notify both the licensed independent practitioner (LIP) and Social Worker (SW). For scores of moderate and high-risk, mothers will be referred to the Perinatal Mental Health Clinic. If a mother screens positive for thoughts of self-harm, the LIP and SW will provide additional screening and refer as appropriate. All parents will receive information about community resources and crisis hotlines. Implementation of PPD screening in the NICU is planned to start January 1, 2025, with initial data analysis of screening rates (primary outcome) to be completed in March 2025 using SPSS. Data analyses will assess EPDS scores, screening rates, and referral rates as well as address potential areas for improvement with ongoing PDSA cycles. This project received IRB exemption in February 2024.