Role of Omega -3 on Postpartum Depression.

Abstract

Abstract: Background & Objectives: Women at child –bearing age are at risk of postpartum depression. Several medications have been introduced for treatment, but according to their side effects and also breast feeding women's desire for dietary complements rather than chemical drugs, this study has been done to determine effect of Omega -3 fatty acids on postpartum depression in women referring to health care centers affiliated to Tabriz Medical University in 2008. Method: This study was a double –blind randomized placebo controlled trial, which was done on 120 women with postpartum depression, who has including criteria's. First by using Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale in women who gave birth 2 weeks to 3 months before, postpartum depression approved; for determining the severity of depression, Beck Depression Inventory Scale was used. Women with mild to moderate depression who had a score ≤46 on the (BDI) enrolled in the study and randomly assigned to receive either placebo or 1gr of Omega -3 capsules for 8 weeks. Severity of depression was measures before treatment and weekly during treatment in both groups. The data was analyzed, T test, repeated measurements of one way ANOWA and chi –square test in SPSS 14/win. Results: There no significant differences between two groups with respect to demographic characteristics. Results show that mean depression scores before treatment in omega -3 groups (35.4+9.2) was significantly (p<0.0005) decreased after treatment (17.7+7.0). Mean depression scores before treatment on placebo group (34.2+3.4) decreased no significantly (p=0.57) after treatment (33.6+9.3). There was significant deference between reductions of depression scores in two groups. The significant difference were noted at weeks 4-8 by repeated measurements of variance. Conclusion: Use of Omega -3 1gr/day for 8 weeks improves postpartum depression.