Can Postpartum Depression Be Managed in Pediatric Primary Care?
Open accessAbstract
Background: Postpartum depression is prevalent among women who have had a baby within the last 12 months. Depression can compromise parenting practices, child development, and family stability. Effective treatments are available, but access to mental healthcare is challenging. Routine infant healthcare visits represent the most regular contact mothers have with the healthcare system, making pediatric primary care (PPC) an ideal venue for managing postpartum depression. Methods: We conducted a review of the published literature on postpartum depression programs. This was augmented with a Google search of major organizations' websites to identify relevant programs. Programs were included if they focused on clinical care practices, for at-risk or depressed women during the first year postpartum, which were delivered within the primary care setting. Results: We found that 18 programs focused on depression care for mothers of infants; 12 were developed for PPC. All programs used a screening tool. Psychosocial risk assessments were commonly used to guide care strategies, which included brief counseling, motivating help seeking, engaging social supports, and facilitating referrals. Available outcome data suggest the importance of addressing postpartum depression within primary care and providing staff training and support. The evidence is strongest in family practices and community-based health settings. More outcome data are needed in pediatric practices. Conclusion: Postpartum depression can be managed within PPC. Psychosocial strategies can be integrated as part of anticipatory guidance. Critical supports for primary care clinicians, especially in pediatric practices, are needed to improve access to timely nonstigmatizing care.
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Su-Chin Serene Olin et al. examined 18 programs for PPD treatment in primary care settings and found that diagnosis and treatment can be provided by nurses, family physicians, and pediatricians in primary care settings.
“Su-Chin Serene Olin et al. examined 18 programs for PPD treatment in primary care settings and found that diagnosis and treatment can be provided by nurses, family physicians, and pediatricians in primary care settings, underscoring the importance of training medical teams [37].”
From Challenges in diagnosing and treating postpartum depression in the primary care Setting- a qualitative study (2025) · cites this paper as [37]
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Exploring the Healthcare Services’ Contribution to Reducing Postpartum Depression
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- Authors
- Olin, S.-C. S., Kerker, B., Stein, R. E. K., Weiss, D., Whitmyre, E. D., Hoagwood, K., & Horwitz, S. M.
- Affiliations
- New York University (US)
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine (US)
- ORCID
- Venue
- Journal of Women's Health
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2015-11-18
- Volume
- 25
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 381-390
- ISSN
- 1059-7115 (ISSN-L)
- 1540-9996
- 1931-843X
- PMC
- PMC4834523
- OpenAlex
- W2173275114
- Cited by
- 40
- References
- 11
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 4 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 1
- FWCI
- 0.47
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Locations
- Journal of Women s Health (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institute of Mental Health (P30MH090322)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Maternal and Neonatal Healthcare
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Obstetrics and Gynecology › Maternal and Perinatal Health Interventions
- Keywords
- postpartum depression, pediatric primary care, maternal mental health, depression screening, psychosocial risk assessment, brief counseling, help-seeking, social support, referral, anticipatory guidance, access to mental health care, general practice, community-based care, employee training
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Child, Community Health Services, Counseling, Depression, Female, Humans, Infant, Mothers, Pediatrics, Postnatal Care, Pregnancy, Primary Health Care, Referral and Consultation, Parenting, Depression, Postpartum
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