Background
Mothers of low birth weight or preterm infants often experience more postpartum depression compared to those with full-term infants. Providing mental support in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) is essential.
Objective
This study aimed to see if a psychological intervention using the Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS) could help reduce depressive symptoms in mothers of very low birth weight infants, whether or not they were present during the assessment.
Methods
Mothers were divided into two groups: Group M (mothers present during the NBAS assessment) and Group non-M (mothers not present). Both groups completed the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) before and after the assessment. Mothers in Group M received early intervention with their infants after the NBAS assessment.
Results
No significant difference in depression scores was found between the two groups. This means that having mothers present during the NBAS assessment did not significantly affect their depressive symptoms.
Conclusion
The early intervention using the NBAS with mothers present did not show clear benefits or drawbacks for their depressive symptoms. However, due to the small number of participants, more research is needed to understand the effectiveness of the NBAS as an early intervention.
Opportunities for Clinics and Patients
Based on this study, clinics can consider the following:
- Define Measurable Outcomes: Set clear goals for reducing postpartum depression in mothers of low birth weight infants.
- Select AI Tools: Choose AI solutions that meet specific clinical needs to enhance support for mothers.
- Implement Step by Step: Start with pilot projects that track results and use AI solutions to assess real-world impacts.
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