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01-12-2018 | Original Article

Vitamin D deficiency and depressive symptoms in the perinatal period

Authors: Amy R. Lamb, Melanie Lutenbacher, Kenneth A. Wallston, Samuel H. Pepkowitz, Brett Holmquist, Calvin J. Hobel

Published in: Archives of Women's Mental Health | Issue 6/2018

Abstract

Depression affects 1 in 7 women during the perinatal period. Women with vitamin D deficiency may be at an increased risk for depression. This study investigated the relationship between maternal and cord blood 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) and maternal depressive symptoms over the perinatal period. Study objectives were to examine variations and relationships between maternal and cord blood vitamin D levels and maternal depressive symptoms over the perinatal period. At a large medical center in southern California, pregnant women (N = 126) were recruited for this longitudinal cohort study. Depressive symptoms (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Screen, EPDS) and vitamin D status (25OHD) were measured at three time points in the perinatal period: time 1 (T1; N = 125) EPDS and 25OHD were collected in early pregnancy; time 2 (T2; N = 96) EPDS was conducted in the third trimester with blood collected at time of delivery; and time 3 (T3; N = 88) was collected postpartum. A significant inverse relationship between vitamin D status and depressive symptoms was observed between 25OHD and EPDS scores at all time points in this sample (T1 = − 0.18, P = 0.024; T2 = − 0.27, P = 0.009; T3 = − 0.22, P = 0.019). This association remained after controlling for confounders. Low cord blood 25OHD levels were inversely associated with higher EPDS scores in the third trimester (r = − 0.22, P = 0.02). Clinicians may want to consider screening women diagnosed with vitamin D deficiency for depression and vice versa. Vitamin D may represent an important biomarker for pregnant and postpartum women diagnosed with depression. Further studies examining underlying mechanisms and supplementation are needed.

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Title: Vitamin D deficiency and depressive symptoms in the perinatal period
Authors: Amy R. Lamb
Melanie Lutenbacher
Kenneth A. Wallston
Samuel H. Pepkowitz
Brett Holmquist
Calvin J. Hobel
Publication date: 01-12-2018
Publisher: Springer Vienna
Published in: Archives of Women's Mental Health / Issue 6/2018
Print ISSN: 1434-1816
Electronic ISSN: 1435-1102
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-018-0852-z

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Vitamin D deficiency and depressive symptoms in the perinatal period

Abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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