OBJECTIVES: to investigate the prevalence of post partum depression and its correlation with thyroid dysfunction in mothers. METHODS: a descriptive, cross-cutting observational study carried out among 292 women between the 31st and 180th days post partum, attending public health units in the Metropolitan Region of Vitória, in the State of Espírito Santo, Brazil. The sample was analyzed for socio-demographic and clinical-obstetric characteristics. A depressive disorder was defined by a score greater than or equal to twelve on the Edinburgh Post-Partum Depression Scale (EPDS). The thyroid was assessed using serum dosages of thyroid stimulating hormone, (TSH), free thyroxin (T4 free) and anti-peroxidase antibodies (TPO). Evaluation of the results was carried out using descriptive analysis and the χ2 test, with a level of significance of 5%. RESULTS: 115 women (39.4%) scored higher than 12 on the EPDS and were thereby deemed to be depressed; 117 (60.6%) scoring lower than 12 were considered not to be depressed. The prevalence of post-partum depression in the group with thyroid dysfunction was 36% and 40% in the group without thyroid dysfunction. There was no statistically significant difference in the frequency of depression between patients with or without thyroid dysfunction (χ2=0.131;p=0.717). CONCLUSIONS: the frequency of PPD was high but no association was observed between post-partum depression and thyroid dysfunction.
Depression, postpartum; Postpartum thyroiditis
