| 4. The incidence is stable
across cultures
5. Infants of affected mothers are at risk for neglect, failure to
thrive, developmental delay, and possibly physical harm, including
death
6. PPD is possibly due to 10-fold drop in postpartum estrogen levels
7. It may be worse in mothers with histories of OCD or PMS
8. Women with low self-esteem are at high risk, as are the poor and
those with poor social support
9. There is a clear increase in risk for first-time mothers, especially
when the mother is very young or old
10. Mothers of premies are at high risk as well
11. Mothers with bipolar disorder or with a strong family history
for depression of bipolar disorder are at high risk for postpartum
psychosis
12. Antenatal screening may predict up to 50% of cases
13. The pediatrician has more contact with new mothers than any other
health professional and therefore stands the best chance of making
the diagnosis
14. A simple 10 question screen performed at well baby visits could
pick up most cases of postpartum depression | 