Positive screening and risk factors for postpartum depression.

The birth of a child may lead to the onset of psychopathological symptoms in the mother that vary in frequency and intensity [1,2], and to short/long-term effects on the mother’s and/or child’s health [3–7]. These symptoms usually regard some form of anxiety and depression which may cause little alarm but in some cases indicate serious problems. These include the condition defined as baby blues, which is short lasting, and characterized by mild symptoms and a minimal impact on functioning [8]. Postpartum psychosis [9,10] is definitely a more serious disorder, with a prevalence that can range between 0.1 to 0.2% [11], and an increased risk of suicide and infanticide [12]. From a clinical and statistical point of view, postpartum depression (PPD) is the most important psychological complication related to childbirth. Research studies have demonstrated that approximately 10– 15% of women who give birth are affected by PPD, with some variability in prevalence across different geographical locations and population groups [13–17]. There is also a substantial percentage of women who suffer postpartum anxiety, many of whom experience comorbid depressive symptoms. Literature regarding perinatal anxiety disorders reports a prenatal prevalence of 9–22%, and a postpartum prevalence of 11–21% [18]. The key risk factors linked with poorer postpartum mental health are well documented [19–22] and include: a past history of depression and/or anxiety [23–25], relationship problems with 60 61 62 * Corresponding author. E-mail address: [email protected] (G. Palumbo).