Vitamin D levels and perinatal depressive symptoms in women at risk: a secondary analysis of the mothers, omega-3, and mental health study.

Jennifer Anne Williams, Vivian C Romero, Chelsea M Clinton, Delia M Vazquez, Sheila M Marcus, Julie L Chilimigras, Susan E Hamilton, Lucy J Allbaugh, Anjel M Vahratian, Ronald M Schrader, Ellen L Mozurkewich

Journal: BMC pregnancy and childbirth 2017;16(1):203

PMID: 27485050

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Abstract

BACKGROUND

Vitamin D insufficiency may be associated with depressive symptoms in non-pregnant adults. We performed this study to evaluate whether low maternal vitamin D levels are associated with depressive symptoms in pregnancy.

METHODS

This study was a secondary analysis of a randomized trial designed to assess whether prenatal omega-3 fatty acid supplementation would prevent depressive symptoms. Pregnant women from Michigan who were at risk for depression based on Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale Score or history of depression were enrolled. Participants completed the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview at 12-20 weeks, 26-28 weeks, 34-36 weeks, and 6-8 weeks postpartum. Vitamin D levels were measured at 12-20 weeks (N = 117) and 34-36 weeks (N = 112). Complete datasets were available on 105 subjects. Using regression analyses, we evaluated the relationship between vitamin D levels with BDI scores as well as with MINI diagnoses of major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. Our primary outcome measure was the association of maternal vitamin D levels with BDI scores during early and late pregnancy and postpartum.

RESULTS

We found that vitamin D levels at 12-20 weeks were inversely associated with BDI scores both at 12-20 and at 34-36 weeks' gestation (P < 0.05, both). For every one unit increase in vitamin D in early pregnancy, the average decrease in the mean BDI score was .14 units. Vitamin D levels were not associated with diagnoses of major depressive disorder or generalized anxiety disorder.

CONCLUSIONS

In women at risk for depression, early pregnancy low vitamin D levels are associated with higher depressive symptom scores in early and late pregnancy. Future investigations should study whether vitamin D supplementation in early pregnancy may prevent perinatal depressive symptoms.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

https://clinicaltrials.gov/

REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT00711971.

Address: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St. Joseph Mercy Health System, Ypsilanti, MI, USA.; Spectrum Health Maternal Fetal Medicine, Grand Rapids, MI, USA.; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, East Lansing, MI, USA.; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.; Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.; Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.; Clinical and Translational Science Center, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, USA.; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. [email protected].; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA. [email protected].

DOI: 10.1186/s12884-016-0988-7

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MeSH Terms: Adult, Depression, Depression, Postpartum, Dietary Supplements, Double-Blind Method, Fatty Acids, Omega-3, Female, Humans, Maternal Serum Screening Tests, Postpartum Period, Pregnancy, Pregnancy Complications, Pregnancy Trimesters, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Regression Analysis, Risk Factors, Vitamin D