Objective:

To determine the frequency of episodes of major depression and to characterize family functionality and social support in pregnant women diagnosed with preeclampsia hospitalized in the unit of high obstetric risk in Clinica Valle del Lili in Cali - Colombia, from December 2015 to May 2016.

Materials and methods:

Cross-sectional descriptive study in 50 hospitalized patients. The Postnatal Depression Scale of Edinburgh was used to evaluate the presence of depressive symptoms and 13 or more points were taken as a reference value, and the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview in its section of major depressive episode to make the diagnosis of major depression episode.

Results:

Mean age was 28.1 ± 6.7 years and average gestational age was 34 weeks. The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 26% and major depression was 20%. 66% of the patients had severe preeclampsia.

Conclusions:

one in five patients presented major depressive episode. The findings agree with what is reported in the literature and suggest that it is a frequent condition in this population.

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