While eating disorders are common in women of childbearing age, there is relatively little information on obstetric and perinatal outcomes in this population. A recent review indicates that women with current eating disorder, as well as women with a history of eating disorder, are at risk of adverse outcomes, including hyperemesis, bleeding, and low birth… Read More »
Growing attention is being given to the public health dimensions of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs). Previously, we have reviewed studies looking at the prevalence of screening for PMADs and disparities therein and the economic cost of neglecting PMADs. A recent study in BMC Medicine has examined differences in access to and utilization of… Read More »
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) now recommends screening for perinatal depression and anxiety, stating that “clinicians screen patients at least once during the perinatal period for depression and anxiety symptoms using a standard, validated tool.” Approximately 40 states have instituted guidelines and recommendations regarding screening for perinatal depression; however, we are… Read More »
Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) including prenatal depression (PND) and postpartum depression (PPD) can have a profound adverse impact on the well-being of mothers, newborns, and entire families. It is estimated that 20%-25% of women experience depressive symptoms during pregnancy or the postpartum period. To curtail rates and severity of PMADs, the American College… Read More »
A recently published article in the American Journal of Public Health has attributed a substantial financial cost to untreated perinatal mood and anxiety disorders among mothers. The study, conducted by researchers with the think tank and public policy firm Mathematica, found that the cost of untreated perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) for the 2017… Read More »
It is great to see so many well-written and researched reports on perinatal depression in the news these days. Here are a few great stories from NPR published over the last couple of months. One of the best things about these articles is that they center on women’s experiences of their illness. There is so… Read More »