Screening for perinatal depression: is it enough?

Mental health problems in women during the perinatal period (from conception until the end of the first postnatal year) may cause significant morbidity and adversely affect the development of their children,1 possibly mediated by stressrelated epigenetic changes or impairment of the mother– infant relationship. Identifying and treating women with mental health problems during the perinatal period, a time when they are in regular contact with health care professionals, is accordingly important.