Literature review for - Flourish Paediatrics

Postnatal Depression and breastfeeding
Sufficient evidence was found to make statements on the prevalence of postnatal depression
in women and the relationship between postnatal depression and infant feeding outcomes.
Additional evidence was found on the relationship between postnatal depression and infant
growth, but since the majority of studies were conducted in developing countries the evidence
was insufficient to develop a body of evidence statement.
THE PREVALENCE OF POSTANATAL DEPRESSION
What is the prevalence of maternal postnatal depression?
Draft Evidence statement
Draft Grade
Component Rating Notes
Approximately 10-15% of women experience
depression (EPDS score ≥ 12) within twelve months of
delivery
B
Evidence Base Good 5 studies; 1 meta- analysis, 3 SLR, 1 cohort study
(published 2010) [5P] reported on the prevalence of
maternal postnatal depression
Consistency Poor 1 meta-analysis on 59 studies found the overall
prevalence of postpartum depression was 13% (12.3%,
13.4%), 1 SLR on 28 studies reported 19.2% of
women had a major or minor depressive episode
during the first 3 months postpartum, with 7.2%
having major depression, 1 SLR on 143 studies found
the prevalence varies among countries from 0%- 60%;
the prevalence rates in Australia (from 14 studies)
were estimated as 9%, 1 SLR on 64 studies found the
prevalence of PPD in Asian countries ranges from
3.5%-63.3%, 1 cohort study in Europe found 11.0% of
mothers had a depression episode during the first 6
months after delivery.
Clinical impact Poor substantial
Generalisability Good The SLR and meta-analysis consist of studies from a
variety of developed and developing countries
including Australia.
Applicability Good Results are applicable to Australian women
The studies included in the body of evidence statement are shown in the Table below
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