Abstract Body

Background and purpose:

Depression is associated with poor outcomes during

pregnancy and the postpartum period and a proactive approach

to screening and diagnosing depression is desired. We sought to

determine how significantly a prior psychiatric diagnosis impacted the

risk for onset of depression during a pregnancy.

Methods:

This was a prospective study that surveyed pregnant women

from July 1st, 2013 through June 30th, 2015. Women presenting for

a new obstetric appointment at our institution were eligible. Surveys

were completed during each trimester and approximately 6 months

postpartum with obstetrical data collected after delivery.

Results:

572 patients were enrolled in the study of which 40 (7.0%)

were diagnosed with active depression during their pregnancy. No

statistical difference was found in age or gravidity for those with or

without depression. A prior history of post-partum depression was

more frequent in those with depression during pregnancy (22.5%

vs. 6.2%, p<0.01), as was any prior history of depression (90% vs.

11.3%, p < 0.01). Almost all of the patients with depression during

their pregnancy had a documented prior psychiatric diagnosis (38/155

vs. 2/417, p<0.01). A history of a prior psychiatric diagnosis incurred

a 64-fold increased risk of depression during the pregnancy (p<0.01).

Conclusions:

A prior history of a psychiatric diagnosis imports a

significantly elevated risk of depression during pregnancy. Currently,

interval depression screening is recommended for all pregnant women.

Our data suggests the need for more active screening in patients with a

prior history of psychiatric diagnosis.