Postpartum Depression in the Mothers of Preterm Infants at Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health
Vinadda Piyasil MD*, Porntip Pichaiyut MD*
Affiliation : * Department of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health, College of Medicine, Rangsit University, Bangkok, Thailand
Objective : To study the prevalence of postpartum depression in the mothers of preterm infants at Queen Sirikit National
Institute of Child Health.
Study
Design : A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at 1 to 6 months after delivery in 41 postpartum women of
healthy preterm infants at the high risk clinic, Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health during 1st January to 31st
December 2006. Health-related, self-report (HRSR) scale and the diagnostic screening test for depression in a Thai popula-
tion were used for evaluation. Prevalence rate was calculated and analyzed, using SPSS version 12.0. The results were
presented in percentage.
Results : The authors found 41 postpartum women of healthy preterm infants at the high risk clinic, Queen Sirikit National
Institute of Child Health. The prevalence of post-partum maternal depression of preterm infants was 22 percent. It was found
that all of them (9 cases) met criteria of minor depressive disorders, which needed no emergency psychiatric treatment. The
mean age of depressive mothers were under 20 years old. All of the depressive mothers, educational level was lower than
bachelor degree.
Conclusion : The prevalence of postpartum depression in mothers of preterm infants was 22 percent. All of them suffered
from mild depression, this should raise concerns with physicians to take care and be prepared for proper management.
Keywords : Postpartum depression, Mothers of preterm infants
