Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on postpartum depression among mothers of extreme and early preterm infants.

Objective: To examine the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the resulting isolation measures on the risk of postpartum depression (PPD) after preterm birth.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of mothers of extreme and early preterm infants who completed the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) at the standardized 3-6 months follow-up consultation for preterm infants. Mothers assessed during the COVID-19 pandemic (n = 34; from April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021) were compared with an antecedent control group (n = 108; from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019).