Introduction Postpartum depression is a serious problem with considerable effects on the mothers and more common in mothers of preterm infants. But it is commonly under- estimated (1). Postpartum depression is defined with symptoms like feelings of sadness, anhedonia, irritability, anger, and low self-esteem. It is a problem which affects 10%-15% of women (2,3). Regarding a study In Iran, the prevalence of postnatal depression was 22% in Sari (4). Another study conducted in Kerman reported this rate 31.1% (5). Postpartum depression is high in mothers with sick and premature babies (6). Low birth weight neonates lead to severe stress and sense of inefficiency in the mother and decrease her self-esteem (7). Depression is anticipated to be the second most common disease after cardiovascular diseases in 2020 and include 15% of all the patients (8). As an important issue, about two-thirds of depressed patients think of suicide and 10%-15% of them commit suicide (9). In addition to maternal health; neonate health is also at risk. So treatment is vital to the health of both (10). The risk of depression in mothers of preterm infants is higher than mothers with term infants. Therefore, this group needs more care. Premature neonates are mainly monitored in intensive care unit and it is accompanied with the separation anxiety both for newborn and mother. One of the interventional strategies in the care of the newborns is Kangaroo mother care (KMC), based on skin to skin contact between mother and newborn in order to improve confidence and self-esteem of the mother (11-13). KMC method is a cheap and convenient way to take better care of premature neonates and has better effect on neonate’s health (14). In addition, KMC facilitates the relationship between neonate and mother and makes the mother feel more comfortable (15). A few studies have also suggested that KMC can affect mothers’ mental health, improve their self-esteem and reduce stress and postpartum depression (16,17). This kind of care provides skin to skin contact and breastfeeding, and reduces the side effects of separation (18). It makes both the mother and the baby ready to establish a pattern of mutual and coordinated interaction (19). Applicability of it in the hospital and the possibility of continuing at home, and the possibility of early discharge in premature neonates, makes it an effective way to reduce stress in the busy neonatal wards (20). In addition, KMC is an easy, safe, inexpensive, and secure way for both newborn and mother; decreases the number of the neonatal hospitalization days and increases the ability of the mother in the care of newborns (21-25). Abstract Objectives: Postpartum depression is a serious problem with considerable effect on the mother and infant’s health, being more common in mothers of preterm infants. Kangaroo mother care (KMC) method is a cheap and convenient way to take better care of premature neonates. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of KMC on the incidence of postpartum depression in mothers of preterm infants. Materials and Methods: In this prospective cohort study, 60 mothers of premature infants who were hospitalized in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Tabriz Al-Zahra hospital, were selected. All the mothers gave birth through caesarean section and carried out KMC. Mothers were divided in to 2 groups: mothers with 3 times or more/day KMC and those with less KMC. All mothers were required to complete the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) on the 10th, 20th and 30th days after the delivery. The changes in mothers’ depression scale were evaluated. Results: There was no obvious difference between the 2 groups in terms of EPDS scores on the 10th day (P = 0.07). However, there was significant difference on the 20th and 30th days (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Considering the results of this study, it can be concluded that depression in mothers with KMC decreased during follow-up time. In fact, KMC is associated with a predictive effect on postpartum depression. Keywords: Kangaroo-mother care method, Postpartum depression, Premature Infant The Impact of Kangaroo-Mother Care on Postpartum Depression in Mothers of Premature Infants Sepideh Herizchi 1* , Mohammad Bagher Hosseini 2 , Mahsa Ghoreishizadeh 3 Open Access Original Article International Journal of Women’s Health and Reproduction Sciences Vol. 5, No. 4, October 2017, 312–317 http://www.ijwhr.net doi 10.15296/ijwhr.2017.53 ISSN 2330- 4456 Received 27 January 2017, Accepted 29 June 2017, Available online 1 August 2017 1 Research Center of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. 2 Pediatrics and Neonatal Departments, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. 3 General Practitioner, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. *Corresponding Author: Sepideh Herizchi, Tel: +989143001495, Email: herizchis@tbzmed.ac.ir