MOOD DISORDERS AMONG MOTHERS OF INFANTS ADMITTED TO A MOTHERCRAFT HOSPITAL

The mothers (n = 100) of consecutive infants admitted to a mothercraft residential facility were asked to complete the Edinburgh Postnatal D epression Scale (EPDS). Only one of the women had been identified prio r to the infant's admission as having postnatal depression, but 39% sc ored above the cut-off point for likely major depressive disorder. No specific infant problem correlated significantly with a higher depress ion score. The extent of serious mood disorders in the post-partum pop ulation has remained generally unacknowledged despite an upsurge of re cent research activity in the field. Nevertheless, this problem has co nsiderable public health significance, impinging as it does on the hea lth of all members of the family. Possible screening and intervention strategies are discussed.