Impact of visiting restrictions on Edinburgh postnatal depression scale screening scores at one month postpartum during the spread of COVID-19: a single-center case-control study in Japan

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to evaluate whether "visiting restrictions" implemented due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic are a risk factor for postpartum depression using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS).

Methods: This case-control study participants who gave birth during the spread of COVID-19 (COVID-19 study group) and before the spread of COVID-19 (control group). Participants completed the EPDS at 2 weeks and 1 month after childbirth.

Results: A total of 400 cases (200 in each group) were included in this study. The EPDS positivity rate was significantly lower with visiting restrictions than without (8.5% vs.18.5%, p = 0.002). Multivariate analysis of positive EPDS screening at the 1st month checkup as the objective variable revealed that visiting restrictions (odds ratio (OR): 0.35, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.18-0.68), neonatal hospitalization (OR: 2.17, 95% CI: 1.08-4.35), and prolonged delivery (OR: 2.87, 95% CI: 1.20-6.85) were factors associated with an increased risk of positive EPDS screening.

Conclusion: Visiting restrictions on family during the hospitalization period for delivery during the spread of COVID-19 pandemic did not worsen EPDS screening scores 1 month postpartum, but stabilized the mental state of some mothers.

Keywords: COVID-19; Edinburgh postnatal depression scale; Postpartum depression; Visiting restrictions.