Risk factors associated with postpartum depression in a high-risk maternity clinic: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate obstetric, epidemiological and social factors related to postpar-tum depression (PPD) and investigate possible risk factors related to this disorder, in puerperal women who had their childbirth and were referred to the High-Risk Outpatient Clinic.METHODS: A cross-sectional study from August-December/2019 was carried out. One hundred seventy-one puerperal women were analyzed by filling out an epidemiological questionnaire and the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS) Form. Scores >= 10 were considered positive. Research on risk factors for postpartum depression was carried out.RESULTS: 29.8% of mothers had a score related with PPD. Breastfeeding without complication is protective against PPD (P=0.002 and x2=12.533). In contrast, not having a planned pregnancy (P=0.0175, x2=5.717), having depression at any stage of life (P=0.013, x2=6.237), depression during pregnancy (P <= 0.0001, x2=46.201) or having a family history of depression (P=0.001, x2=10.527), are factors associated with the development of PPD. Moreover, just having depression during pregnancy was found to be a significant risk factor for the occurrence of PPD, increasing the risk of developing this pathology by 12 times (OR=12.891).CONCLUSIONS: Depression during pregnancy is an important risk factor for the development of PPD. This can easily be detected using the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale and treated in a timely manner.