An illustrative case for addressing infant mental health referrals

Problem Despite knowing the importance of the early detection of adverse experiences, mental health disorders beginning or occurring during early childhood can be difficult to recognize. To address this gap, this manuscript describes the care of a parent-child dyad utilizing the nursing process in an illustrative case. Methods This illustrative case provides a scenario that includes the early detection of infant mental health (IMH) in primary care with referral to a psychiatric mental health advanced practice nurse (PMHNP) and highlights how integrative care with PMHNP can facilitate the use of the nursing process to promote optimal early childhood growth and development and prevent long-term mental health problems. Findings The collaboration between the primary care provider and PMHNP in addressing a common diagnosis observed in IMH (i.e., feeding disorder) where a 6-month-old infant presented with poor weight gain due to detached parenting, secondary to maternal depression, resulted in early infant-parent intervention that reduced maternal depression and normalized infant growth. Conclusions The screening of IMH in pediatric primary care promotes early referral and collaboration with the PMHNP to address IMH problems to promote optimal growth and social-emotional development in early childhood.