Postpartum Depression Risk Factors and the Role of Telehealth in Screening and Intervention

Postpartum depression (PPD) is defined as a depressive episode occurring within the first year after delivery. This study aims to identify risk factors associated with higher Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS) scores and evaluate the impact of a 3-week postpartum telehealth appointment on these scores. A retrospective chart review was conducted on 252 patients who delivered at a single academic center, with 114 deliveries occurring before and 138 after the implementation of the telehealth visit. Of these, 106 patients completed the telehealth visit. Data on patient demographics, pregnancy, maternal health, and delivery were collected. Statistical analyses were performed using ANOVA and student’s t-test, with a significance threshold of p < 0.05. The results showed no significant correlation between EPDS scores and maternal or gestational age at delivery, parity, type of delivery, complications, or NICU admission. However, Black patients had significantly higher EPDS scores compared to other racial groups (p = 0.038). Patients with any mental health diagnosis (p < 0.01) and those with a history of postpartum depression (p < 0.01) also had significantly higher EPDS scores. Implementing the postpartum telehealth visit did not result in a significant decrease in EPDS scores, nor was there a significant difference between patients who completed the visit and those who did not. This study underscores the need for additional or alternative interventions to reduce the risk of postpartum depression effectively.