Economic costs of post-natal depression in a high-risk British cohort

Abstract

BackgroundPost-natal depression is a common condition that can result in distress for the mother and deleterious effects on the development of the infant.AimsTo estimate the economic costs of post-natal depression in a geographically defined cohort of women at high risk of developing the condition.MethodUnit costs were applied to estimates of health and social care resource use made by 206 women recruited from antenatal clinics and their infants. Net costs per mother–infant dyad over the first 18 months post-partum were estimated.ResultsMean mother–infant dyad costs were estimated at £2419.00 for women with post-natal depression and £2026.90 for women without post-natal depression, a mean cost difference of £392.10 (P=0.17). The mean cost differences between women with and without post-natal depression reached statistical significance for community care services (P=0.01), but not for other categories of service. Economic costs were higher for women with extended experiences of the condition.ConclusionsThe results of this study should be used to facilitate the effective planning of services by different agencies.