Postpartum Depression in Mothers of NICU-Admitted Neonates: A Case-Control Study on Prevalence and Associated Factors

Objective: To determine the prevalence of postpartum depression (PPD) in mothers of NICU-admitted neonates compared with matched controls, and to identify associated sociodemographic and obstetric risk factors.

Methods: This matched case-control study enrolled 320 mothers (160 NICU cases, 160 matched controls) over twelve months (May 2024–April 2025) at a tertiary care teaching hospital in Punjab, India. PPD was assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS ≥10) at postpartum day 30. Pearson chi-square tests and binary logistic regression were applied; odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated.

Results: PPD was present in 59 NICU mothers (36.9%) versus 36 controls (22.5%) (χ²=7.920, P=0.005; OR 2.01, 95% CI: 1.23–3.29). On binary logistic regression, five variables were independently associated with PPD: rural residence (aOR 5.57, 95% CI: 2.19–14.20), cesarean delivery (aOR 5.54, 95% CI: 1.60–19.10), female neonate sex (aOR 2.91, 95% CI: 1.32–6.43), joint family type (aOR 2.70, 95% CI: 1.20–6.04), and lower education level (aOR 0.33, 95% CI: 0.14–0.75, protective).

Conclusions: More than one in three NICU mothers screened positive for PPD — nearly double the rate observed in controls. Routine EPDS screening at NICU admission and discharge, with focused support for high-risk mothers, is recommended.