Mental Health Support and Screening for Mood Disorders for Caregivers in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Is the Call to Arms Being Answered?

Megan Lagoski; Lamia Soghier; Joanne Lagata; Miller Shivers; Erin Sadler; Elizabeth Fischer; Adrienne Borschuk; Melissa House; Children's Hospitals Neonatal Consortium Perinatal Mood Anxiety Disorder Focus Group

doi:10.1055/a-2353-0993

American Journal of Perinatology, Table of Contents

Am J Perinatol 2025; 42(03): 320-326
DOI: 10.1055/a-2353-0993

Original Article

Mental Health Support and Screening for Mood Disorders for Caregivers in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Is the Call to Arms Being Answered?

Megan Lagoski

¹Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University and the Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois

,

Lamia Soghier

²Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, George Washington University School of Medicine, Children's National Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia

,

Joanne Lagata

³Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Medical College of Wisconsin, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

,

Miller Shivers

⁴Division of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Department of Pediatrics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Ann & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois

,

Erin Sadler

⁵Division of Psychology & Behavioral Health, Department of Pediatrics, George Washington University School of Medicine, Children's National Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia

,

Elizabeth Fischer

⁶Division of Pediatric Psychology and Behavioral Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

,

Adrienne Borschuk

⁷Division of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Department of Pediatrics, SUNY Upstate Medical University Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital, Syracuse, New York

,

Melissa House

⁸Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University of School of Medicine, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia

,

Children's Hospitals Neonatal Consortium Perinatal Mood Anxiety Disorder Focus Group

› Author Affiliations

Abstract

Objective Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) affect many neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) parents and are a significant risk factor for maternal suicide. Lack of screening and treatment interferes with infant development and bonding, compounding risks in fragile infants. We aim to describe PMAD screening in level IV NICUs across the Children's Hospitals Neonatal Consortium (CHNC) and to determine the relationship between standardized screening and mental health professionals (MHPs) presence.

Study Design We surveyed experts at 44 CHNC NICUs about PMADs screening practices and presence of NICU-specific MHPs. Kruskal–Wallis test was used to examine relationships.

Results Of 44 centers, 34 (77%) responded. Fourteen centers (41%) perform screening with validated tools. Thirteen (38%) centers have NICU-dedicated psychologists. Formally screening centers tend to have higher cumulative MHPs (p = 0.089) than informally screening centers. Repeat screening practices were highly variable with no difference in the number of cumulative MHPs.

Conclusion Screening practices for PMADs vary across CHNC centers; less than half have additional MHPs beyond social workers. Creating a sustainable model to detect PMADs likely requires more MHPs in NICUs.

Key Points

PMADs affect many NICU parents.
Systematic screening for PMADs is limited in level IV children's hospital NICUs.
Additional MHPs may contribute to enhanced screening and support of parents.
Hospitals should prioritize funds for NICU-specific MHPs to optimize outcomes.

Keywords

perinatal mood and anxiety disorders - neonatology - health outcomes - neonatal intensive care unit - mental health support

Full Text

References

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Supplementary Material

Supplementary Material