Postpartum depression in mothers of infants under 12 months at Hai Duong Pediatric Hospital and its association on infant health

Postpartum depression (PPD) is one of the current priorities in the national program on maternal and child health. The study aims to provide a comprehensive database on the prevalence of PPD among mothers in 12 months of post-delivery and to examine its relationship with the health status of their offspring in the first 12 months. This hospital-based cross-sectional study involved 180 mothers whose children were admitted at Hai Duong Pediatric Hospital in September 2022. The mothers in the study were classified by the PPD, which was determined using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) with the cut-off score of 12/13. Infant health indicators include the gestational age at birth, birthweight, congenital abnormality at birth, infant illness within the first 12 months, hospitalization frequency, crying behavior, and the mother’s concerns regarding the infant’s health status. PPD is significantly associated with the frequency of infants admitted for inpatient treatment (p=0.038) and the occurrence of prolonged infant crying episodes exceeding 15 minutes per day (p=0.004). Additionally, frequent maternal worry about the infant’s health also showed a strong relationship with PPD status (p<0.001). Strengthening targeted strategies to screen for and reduce the rate of PPD, especially among mothers who are often in a state of concern for their offspring’s health, should be prioritized.