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CONFERENCE PROCEEDING
Identification of risk factors influencing the likelihood of depression during pregnancy and postpartum to enhance early diagnosis, prevention and therapy
1
Institute of Midwifery Science, Faculty of Medicine- University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
2
Clinic of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
3
Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
Eur J Midwifery 2026;10(Supplement 1):A627
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Perinatal depression (PND) affects 10–15% of pregnant individuals and has significant short- and long-term impacts on maternal health, as well as adverse effects on child development. Despite increasing awareness, perinatal mental disorders remain underestimated and underdiagnosed in maternity care.
OBJECTIVES:
This study aims to identify predictive factors for PND to support early detection an offer support.
METHODS:
In this prospective explorative longitudinal study, 180 pregnant individuals were recruited at the University Hospital Cologne (July 2024 to January 2025). The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was administered during pregnancy and 6 to 8 weeks postnatal. Additional data were collected on birth experience (SIL-GER), health history, and sociodemographic characteristics. Analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS©.
RESULTS:
During pregnancy, 26% of participants scored above the EPDS cut-off (≥10). A history of mental illness constituted a significant risk factor (p = 0.008; 95% CI [1.10–7.42]). Postnatal, the prevalence of elevated EPDS scores was 23.7%. A higher prenatal EPDS score (p = 0.050; 95% CI [1.00–1.30]), a higher score for postanal physical symptoms (p = 0.002; 95% CI [1.15–1.94]), and a lower number of previous pregnancies (p = 0.059; 95% CI [0.29–0.95]) were significantly associated with increased postnatal EPDS scores. A lower SIL-GER score and a preexisting mental illness showed burdensome postnatal trends but remained statistically unstable in the sensitivity analysis.
CONCLUSIONS:
Proactive consideration of these identified factors and routine screening with the EPDS may enable midwives and healthcare professionals to identify vulnerable individuals early and refer them to specialists for appropriate diagnostics. This would support the early implementation of preventive strategies for high-risk individuals and enable the prompt initiation of therapeutic interventions when indicated.
KEY MESSAGE:
Midwives have a pivotal role in the early identification of depressive symptoms and addressing these individuals within an interdisciplinary framework could contributes to enhance maternal health, child development and continuity of care. Poster session 2 (Group A)
Perinatal depression (PND) affects 10–15% of pregnant individuals and has significant short- and long-term impacts on maternal health, as well as adverse effects on child development. Despite increasing awareness, perinatal mental disorders remain underestimated and underdiagnosed in maternity care.
OBJECTIVES:
This study aims to identify predictive factors for PND to support early detection an offer support.
METHODS:
In this prospective explorative longitudinal study, 180 pregnant individuals were recruited at the University Hospital Cologne (July 2024 to January 2025). The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was administered during pregnancy and 6 to 8 weeks postnatal. Additional data were collected on birth experience (SIL-GER), health history, and sociodemographic characteristics. Analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS©.
RESULTS:
During pregnancy, 26% of participants scored above the EPDS cut-off (≥10). A history of mental illness constituted a significant risk factor (p = 0.008; 95% CI [1.10–7.42]). Postnatal, the prevalence of elevated EPDS scores was 23.7%. A higher prenatal EPDS score (p = 0.050; 95% CI [1.00–1.30]), a higher score for postanal physical symptoms (p = 0.002; 95% CI [1.15–1.94]), and a lower number of previous pregnancies (p = 0.059; 95% CI [0.29–0.95]) were significantly associated with increased postnatal EPDS scores. A lower SIL-GER score and a preexisting mental illness showed burdensome postnatal trends but remained statistically unstable in the sensitivity analysis.
CONCLUSIONS:
Proactive consideration of these identified factors and routine screening with the EPDS may enable midwives and healthcare professionals to identify vulnerable individuals early and refer them to specialists for appropriate diagnostics. This would support the early implementation of preventive strategies for high-risk individuals and enable the prompt initiation of therapeutic interventions when indicated.
KEY MESSAGE:
Midwives have a pivotal role in the early identification of depressive symptoms and addressing these individuals within an interdisciplinary framework could contributes to enhance maternal health, child development and continuity of care. Poster session 2 (Group A)
| eISSN: | 2585-2906 |
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