Effect of Kangaroo Mother Care on Postpartum Depression

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a serious public health issue.Kangaroo mother care (KMC) is widely considered to be the mostfeasible, readily available and preferred intervention for decreasingneonatal morbidity and mortality in developing countries. Weconducted a prospective study to assess the effect of KMC onPPD. The study population included 177 low-income mothers withtheir preterm infants. We used the validated Portuguese versionof the Postpartum Depression Screening Scale for the assessmentof maternal depression. The mothers were evaluated twice, atNeonatal Intensive Care Unit admission and at KMC discharge.We found 66 mothers (37.3%) with depression and it decreasedto 30 (16.9%) after KMC intervention; p < 0.0001. None developedPPD during the Kangaroo stay. We concluded that KMC may lessenmaternal depression. Further studies, may be required to clarifythese preliminary findings.