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Risk factors for postpartum depressive symptoms among mothers of Colorado-born preterm infants

Journal of Perinatology volume 41, pages 2028–2037 (2021)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objective

Identify risk factors of postpartum depressive symptoms (PDS) among preterm infants’ mothers.

Study design

Retrospective cross-sectional analysis of Colorado’s Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System from 2012 to 2018 included weighted n = 33,633 mothers of preterm infants. Multivariate regression models calculated adjusted risk factors of PDS.

Results

PDS risk factors include history of maternal depression (adjusted risk ratio [aRR] 1.98, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.28–3.05), early preterm birth <34wga (aRR 1.48, 95% CI 1.05–2.08), no prenatal care (aRR 3.19, 95% CI 1.52–6.71), non-Hispanic other (Asian/Pacific Islander, American Indian/Alaskan, or mixed) race/ethnicity (aRR 1.76, 95% CI 1.10–2.82), and pre-pregnancy public insurance (aRR 2.34, 95% CI 1.46–3.76).

Conclusion

PDS risk factors among Colorado mothers of preterm infants slightly differ from identified risk factors among mothers of term infants. These findings can improve PDS screening and diagnosis so effective therapies and support can be offered during and after NICU hospitalization.

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Fig. 1: Prevalence of diagnosis and treatment for PPD among preterm infants’ mothers with PDS.

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Acknowledgements

Thank you to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment for allowing us to use the Colorado PRAMS data for our research.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA

    Connie Truong & Sunah S. Hwang

  2. Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Denver, CO, USA

    Ashley Juhl

  3. Section of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA

    Sunah S. Hwang

Authors
  1. Connie Truong
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  2. Ashley Juhl
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  3. Sunah S. Hwang
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Contributions

CT made substantial contributions to the conception and design of the work, interpreted data for the work, as well as drafted and revised the manuscript. AJ made substantial contributions to the acquisition and analysis of the work and revised the work critically for important intellectual content. SSH made substantial contributions to the conception and design of the work, interpreted the data for the work and revising the work critically for important intellectual contact. All authors (CT, AJ, and SH) approve this version of the work to be published and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved.

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Correspondence to Connie Truong.

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Truong, C., Juhl, A. & Hwang, S.S. Risk factors for postpartum depressive symptoms among mothers of Colorado-born preterm infants. J Perinatol 41, 2028–2037 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-021-01088-5

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