Epidemiological analysis of perinatal depression

Abstract

Perinatal depression is a commonly underdiagnosed problem which not only severely affects maternal mental and physical health, but also affects the newborn on a physical, mental and cognitive level with serious repercussions on adult life. Despite efforts to obtain useful information to dimension the problem, most experts in the field agree that this disorder is more frequent than estimated. Thus, the improvement in obtaining information on perinatal mental health will not only allow for a better dimensioning of the problem, but will also allow for better decision making in public mental health to reduce morbidity and mortality and the burden of disease associated with perinatal depression.