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Purpose <p>In this brief report, we present an overview of an integrated mental health program for pregnant patients undergoing subspecialty evaluation for suspected fetal anomaly at Children’s National Hospital. Our approach begins with universal mental health screening administered prior to fetal imaging appointments, with specialized therapy services made available for patients identified as elevated risk for poor mental health outcomes. This study aims to describe the mental health of our patients and to identify risk and protective factors influencing their mental health. The relevant literature, approach, and protocol are highlighted, along with initial findings from a single year of universal screening.</p> Methods <p>From June 2023 to June 2024, 661 patients completed mental health screening measures, including the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and measures of pregnancy-related worry, health literacy, guilt/self-blame, social support, and self-reported resilience.</p> Results <p>Among 661 participants, 33% scored in the elevated range for depression, while 57% reported high levels of worry, suggesting significant distress in this population. Attendance rates and patient satisfaction at follow-up care were high (93.6% and 100%, respectively), suggesting high treatment acceptability and effectiveness.</p> Conclusion <p>Our findings underscore the critical need for integrated mental health services in prenatal settings, revealing clinically significant distress among patients and highlighting modifiable factors that could inform tailored interventions.</p>

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Prenatal Mental Health Screening and Support in a Multidisciplinary Fetal Imaging Program: a Brief Report on Protocol and Early Findings

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年4月7日

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  • Ellen Bartolini,
  • Tracy Moran Vozar,
  • Adré du Plessis,
  • Nickie Andescavage,
  • Catherine Limperopoulos

摘要

Purpose

In this brief report, we present an overview of an integrated mental health program for pregnant patients undergoing subspecialty evaluation for suspected fetal anomaly at Children’s National Hospital. Our approach begins with universal mental health screening administered prior to fetal imaging appointments, with specialized therapy services made available for patients identified as elevated risk for poor mental health outcomes. This study aims to describe the mental health of our patients and to identify risk and protective factors influencing their mental health. The relevant literature, approach, and protocol are highlighted, along with initial findings from a single year of universal screening.

Methods

From June 2023 to June 2024, 661 patients completed mental health screening measures, including the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and measures of pregnancy-related worry, health literacy, guilt/self-blame, social support, and self-reported resilience.

Results

Among 661 participants, 33% scored in the elevated range for depression, while 57% reported high levels of worry, suggesting significant distress in this population. Attendance rates and patient satisfaction at follow-up care were high (93.6% and 100%, respectively), suggesting high treatment acceptability and effectiveness.

Conclusion

Our findings underscore the critical need for integrated mental health services in prenatal settings, revealing clinically significant distress among patients and highlighting modifiable factors that could inform tailored interventions.