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Trends in Postpartum Depressive Symptoms

MMWR; ePub 2017 Feb 17; Ko, Rockhill, et al

Publish date:

The overall prevalence of postpartum depressive symptoms (PDS) declined from 2004 to 2012 among 13 states in the US, with PDS being highest among new mothers aged ≤19 years or 20 to 24 years, according to a CDC study examining trends in PDS in 27 states in 2004, 2008, and 2012. Researchers found:

  • Among the 13 states with data for all 3 periods, self-reported prevalence of PDS declined from 14.8% in 2004 to 9.8% in 2012.
  • During 2004-2012, statistically significant declines were observed in 8 of 13 states, with no statistically significant changes in prevalence in 5 states.
  • The overall PDS prevalence in 2012 was 11.5% for 27 states.
  • PDS was highest among: new mothers aged ≤19 years or 20 to 24 years; American Indian/Alaska Native or Asian/Pacific Islander race/ethnicity; ≤12 years education; unmarried; postpartum smokers; had ≥3 stressful life events in the year before birth; gave birth to term, low-birth weight infants; and had infants requiring neonatal intensive care unit admission at birth.

Citation:

Ko JY, Rockhill KM, Tong VT, Morrow B, Farr SL. Trends in postpartum depressive symptoms—27 states, 2004, 2008, and 2012. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2017;66:153–158. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm6606a1.

Commentary:

Postpartum depression is common and has significant adverse effects on both mother and infant. It is associated with lower rates of breastfeeding, poor maternal and infant bonding, and a higher risk of infant developmental disorders. It is also treatable with medications and/or therapy, but unfortunately, less than 50% of women with postpartum depression have their disorder identified and treated. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the US Preventive Services Task Force (UPSTF) all recommend that clinicians be aware of and screen for postpartum depression.1-3 —Neil Skolnik, MD

  1. Committee on Obstetric Practice. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Committee opinion no. 630. Screening for perinatal depression. Obstet Gynecol. 2015;125:1268–71. doi:10.1097/01.AOG.0000465192.34779.dc.
  2. US Preventive Services Task Force. Depression in Adults: Screening. January 2016. https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/Page/Document/UpdateSummaryFinal/depression-in-adults-screening1?ds=1&s=depression.
  3. Earls MF; Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health American Academy of Pediatrics. Incorporating recognition and management of perinatal and postpartum depression into pediatric practice. Pediatrics. 2010;126:1032–1039. doi:10.1542/peds.2010-2348.

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