The San Diego Union-Tribune reported last week on the recommendation of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force that all pregnant and postpartum women to be screened for depression. Dr. Pratt discusses research showing that maternal depression during and after pregnancy often goes unidentified and untreated presenting a significant potential risk to both the baby and the mother. Maternal depression is associated with pre-term birth, low birth weight, lower academic achievement, and an increased risk of mood and anxiety disorders across the child’s lifetime. Universal implementation of this recommendation could impact thousands of women and their families.
Read the Union-Tribune article here:
http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2016/feb/05/maternal-depression-screening/
Watch Dr. Pratt’s interview with KUSI news regarding the recommended new guidelines.