Preeclampsia, a pregnancy-specific condition marked by hypertension and proteinuria, has been identified as a risk factor for postpartum depression (PPD), researchers explained in a study published online in the World Journal of Psychiatry. Excessive BMI increase during pregnancy is a known contributor to preeclampsia, yet its connection to PPD, particularly in the context of blood pressure variability, remains unclear. This study investigated the relationships among BMI, blood pressure variability, and PPD in 201 pregnant women with preeclampsia treated at Suzhou Ninth People’s Hospital from May 2016 to June 2024. Using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) at 42 days postpartum, researchers found that 18.41% of participants exhibited PPD symptoms. Data analysis revealed that BMI increases and 24-hour systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure variability were significantly higher in women with PPD than those without, highlighting these factors as contributors to PPD risk.
Statistical analyses, including Pearson correlation and logistic regression, confirmed that BMI increases during pregnancy and blood pressure variability positively correlated with EPDS scores, emphasizing their role as predictors of PPD. The findings suggest that managing BMI and blood pressure fluctuations during pregnancy is critical to mitigating PPD risk. Interventions such as prenatal health education, weight management, psychological counseling, and appropriate exercise can help pregnant women maintain physical and mental well-being, reducing the likelihood of adverse postpartum outcomes