Clinical Pediatrics: Open Access
Open Access
ISSN: 2572-0775
ISSN: 2572-0775
Elaine Joy O. Viernes
Government Hospital in the Philippines, Philippines
Posters & Accepted Abstracts: Clin Pediatr OA
Background of the study: Screening for antepartum depression is not routinely integrated in prenatal care despite its high prevalence rate and adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study of 143 pregnant adolescents age 12 to 18 years old was conducted at the OB-Gyne outpatient department of a tertiary hospital. Participants were enrolled to complete a self-administered socio-demographic and obstetric questionnaires and the validated Filipino version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. The presence of depression was assessed using the validated EPDS cut-off score of > 13. Results: The prevalence of antepartum depression during the time of the study was 23.1%. The mean EPDS score among the depressed group is 15.12 + 0.918. Pregnant teens with low monthly household income were at an increased risk of antepartum depression. Conversely, those currently studying and in their third trimester were less likely at risk for depression during pregnancy. Conclusion: A significant proportion of pregnant adolescents were at risk of developing antepartum depression. The lack of predisposing risk factors does not rule out the possibility of depression during pregnancy; thus, screening through a validated tool should be integrated in antenatal care. Early detection and appropriate intervention for depression in pregnant teenagers is crucial to prevent the associated adverse maternal and child outcomes. Keywords: Antepartum/Antenatal depression, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale
E-mail: ejviernes@gmail.com