Early Detection: A two-part assessment
Many health care professionals are apprehensive about
early screening due to concern that women experiencing
postpartum blues will be falsely identifi ed as having postpartum
depression. Dennis and Ross used the EPDS to
investigate this issue in a study that examined its ability
to differentiate between women whose symptoms persisted
after being identified in the first postpartum week,
from those whose symptoms remitted.11 They identified
several risk factors that predicted more persistent depression,
including antepartum depression, lack of perceived
social support, and a history of child sexual abuse. The
researchers suggested that a screening measure should be
used in conjunction with assessment of known risk factors,
in order to decrease the rate of false positives. They
recommended further evaluation for women screening
positive and having one or more known risk factors.
Additional associated risk factors that have been identified in other studies include a prior history of PPD, other
current or recent psychosocial stressors, conflict with a
partner, and a history of premenstrual symptoms.