Prevalence of Depression Among Fathers at the Pediatric Well-Child Care Visit

Abstract

This study estimates the prevalence of paternal depression using the Child Health Improvement Through Computer Automation system in fathers attending well-child care visits. Approximately 24% of mothers experience depression in the prenatal and postpartum periods,1 which has negative consequences for children and families. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that pediatricians screen parents for depression during well-child care visits,2,3 but studies on screening for paternal depression have not been widely performed in pediatric clinics in the United States.