27. Associations between postpartum depression and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy

Abstract

Objectives To identify the possible relationships between PPD and HDP in women in a public maternity, and the associated factors. Study design Prospective cross-sectional study with 168 puerperal women diagnosed with HDP (hypertensive women) and their controls (normotensive women) and their newborns. Diagnosis of SAH was indicated when systolic pressure was 140 mmHg or higher or diastolic pressure was 90 mmHg or higher; the diagnosis and severity of the disease were based on blood pressure, proteinuria, and clinical and laboratory findings. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was used to assess the risk of postpartum depression. Scores ⩾12 were considered to indicate the presence of depressive symptomatology. Main outocome measures Probability of depressive symptoms according to the EPDS. Results The probability of postpartum depressive symptoms was positively related with the diagnosis of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (rS = 0.219, p ⩽ 0.004), premonitory signs (rS = 0.171, p = 0.027), use of magnesium sulfate (rS = 0.199, p = 0.010), and DBP (rS = 0.165, p = 0.033), and use of milk formula during hospitalization (rS = 0.152, p = 0.048). Conclusions Puerperal women diagnosed with HDP are more likely to have depressive symptoms.