Objectives: This study aims to investigate the prevalence and severity of postpartum depression symptoms in high-risk mothers following preterm birth upon discharge and to identify related factors and risk factors for these symptoms.
Methods: The study retrospectively analyzed medical records of women with high-risk pregnancies who delivered premature infants (gestational age ≤35 weeks and weight <2,000 g) between January 2019 and January 2024. Postpartum depressive symptoms were assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9).
Results: The study included 96 mothers who gave birth to premature infants and completed both the EPDS and PHQ-9 at discharge. Mean EPDS score was 8.35±4.95, and the mean PHQ-9 score was 3.32±3.43. The prevalence of depressive symptoms and their association with various maternal and neonatal factors were analyzed. Maternal age showed a significant correlation with EPDS scores (r=0.291, p=0.004).
Conclusions: In this study, it was identified that high-risk pregnancies resulting in premature birth experience a considerable prevalence of depressive symptoms. Identifying related factors is crucial for early intervention and support for this vulnerable group.