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Psychiatric support for mothers in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Journal of Perinatology volume 35, pages 451–457 (2015)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objective:

This study describes mental health treatment and follow-up for mothers of infants in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

Study Design:

Data were collected retrospectively about 204 mothers referred to a Level 3 NICU Psychiatric Consult Liaison Team over 2 years. This included medical, demographic and treatment information about both mother and infant.

Result:

Most mothers (69%) were referred within a week of birth, and 100 (49%) of the referred mothers received a psychiatric diagnosis. Psychiatric follow-up was recommended for 13% on leaving the NICU and additional follow-up referrals were made for another 16%. Mothers with more than one initial reason for referral, a past psychiatric history, receiving therapeutic services, receiving a psychiatric diagnosis and receiving pharmacotherapy were all significantly more likely to have follow-up recommended on discharge.

Conclusion:

Approximately one-sixth of mothers in the NICU were referred, a large proportion received a psychiatric diagnosis, and over a quarter required follow-up after discharge, indicating the importance of the service.

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Acknowledgements

We wish to thank the Kate Edger Trust for funding, the members of the Starship Consult Liaison Team, and staff of the Starship Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Medicine, University of Auckland, New Zealand, Auckland

    K A Penny

  2. Psychological Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Auckland, New Zealand, Auckland

    S H Friedman

  3. Starship Hospital, Auckland District Health Board, New Zealand, Auckland

    G M Halstead

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  1. K A Penny
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  2. S H Friedman
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  3. G M Halstead
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Correspondence to S H Friedman.

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The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Penny, K., Friedman, S. & Halstead, G. Psychiatric support for mothers in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. J Perinatol 35, 451–457 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2014.221

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