Vitamin D levels during pregnancy may be linked to postpartum depression, suggests study

Written By : Medha Baranwal |Medically Reviewed By : Dr. Kamal Kant Kohli Published On 2021-12-08T09:30:37+05:30 | Updated On 8 Dec 2021 9:31 AM IST

USA: Results from a meta-analysis have suggested a possible association between vitamin D levels at mid-pregnancy and postpartum depression (PPD). Considering this, women at risk for PPD should be made aware of this potential association and ways to maintain normal vitamin D levels.

Postpartum depression, a prevalent mood disorder, is estimated to affect 20%-40% of women worldwide after childbirth. Recent studies have investigated the effect of vitamin D on the prevention of depression and mood disorders but it still remains unclear how vitamin D may affect PPD.

In the study, published in the Journal of Pharmacy Technology, Israa Mahmood, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID, USA, and colleagues aimed to evaluate evidence regarding 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OD) D) levels during pregnancy and its association with PPD.

For the study, the researchers accessed the primary literature. Inclusion criteria were human subjects, English language, vitamin D as the sole micronutrient understudy, and measurement of vitamin D level during pregnancy. Studies measuring vitamin D levels after delivery were excluded. Any antenatal or prepartum depression was also excluded.

There were 3 published prospective cohort studies that specifically evaluated the relationship between vitamin D and PPD. The results are conflicting: 2 of these studies found a significant correlation between patients with low vitamin D levels and PPD, but the third found that high vitamin D levels are associated with a greater incidence of PPD.

"Available evidence suggests a possible correlation between vitamin D levels at mid-pregnancy and PPD," the authors wrote. "Further study is needed to determine the benefit of vitamin D supplementation in preventing PPD."

Women with risk factors for PPD should be educated on this potential association and ways to maintain normal vitamin D levels, they suggested.

Reference:

1. Mahmood I, Owens CT, Hoover RM. Association Between Vitamin D Levels During Pregnancy and Postpartum Depression. Journal of Pharmacy Technology. 2015;31(5):223-227. doi:10.1177/8755122515579461

Journal of Pharmacy Technologyvitamin Dpregnancypostpartum depression

Source : Journal of Pharmacy Technology

Medha Baranwal

MSc. Biotechnology

Medha Baranwal joined Medical Dialogues as an Editor in 2018 for Speciality Medical Dialogues. She covers several medical specialties including Cardiac Sciences, Dentistry, Diabetes and Endo, Diagnostics, ENT, Gastroenterology, Neurosciences, and Radiology. She has completed her Bachelors in Biomedical Sciences from DU and then pursued Masters in Biotechnology from Amity University. She has a working experience of 5 years in the field of medical research writing, scientific writing, content writing, and content management. She can be contacted at editorial@medicaldialogues.in. Contact no. 011-43720751

Dr. Kamal Kant Kohli

Dr Kamal Kant Kohli-MBBS, DTCD- a chest specialist with more than 30 years of practice and a flair for writing clinical articles, Dr Kamal Kant Kohli joined Medical Dialogues as a Chief Editor of Medical News. Besides writing articles, as an editor, he proofreads and verifies all the medical content published on Medical Dialogues including those coming from journals, studies,medical conferences,guidelines etc. Email: drkohli@medicaldialogues.in. Contact no. 011-43720751