Postpartum Depression Symptomatology and Follow-up Care in the Primiparous Adolescent Population [ID 800]

INTRODUCTION: Young maternal age at childbearing may be a risk factor for postpartum depression, which is associated with maternal mortality. We examine the association between maternal age and postpartum depression symptomatology in high-risk, inner-city mothers as well as what follow-up care is provided. METHODS: We collected background factors, delivery outcomes, and 6-week postpartum Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) scores from primiparous mothers between September 2020 and December 2023. Maternal age was grouped into 18 years or younger, 19–24, 25–35 (reference), and 36 years or older. Analyses included descriptive, chi-squared, and adjusted logistic regressions predicting none/minimal or moderate/severe PHQ-9 scores. RESULTS: We identified 2,308 primiparous births: 52.8% Black, 25.7% Hispanic, 70.5% utilizing public health insurance. Mothers aged 18 years and younger made up 6.4% of the sample. This youngest group showed greater than expected rates of moderate/severe symptoms of depression on the 6-week postpartum PHQ-9 (22.2% versus 4.1%; X2 (3)=9.16, P <.05). When controlling for previous psychiatric diagnosis, race, ethnicity, insurance, partnership status, and maternal and neonatal intensive care unit stay, the youngest mothers remained at risk for increased depression symptomatology (odds ratio 5.78; 95% CI, 1.16–28.86). Most (77%) with elevated PHQ-9 scores were offered follow-up with social work; 60% attended; one suicide attempt was noted in the youngest age group. CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS: Adolescent mothers showed higher postpartum depression symptomatology than older mothers even when controlling for measured covariates including prior psychiatric diagnosis. Although screeners help identify those experiencing depression symptoms, follow-up care is lacking.