ROLE OF OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS ON POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION

Women in child-bearing age are at risk of postpartum depression. Several drugs have
been introduced for treatment, but because of 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.
Methods and Materials: This study was a double-blind randomized placebo controlled trial, which
was done on 120 women with postpartum depression, who had included 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 measured before treatment and weekly during
treatment in both groups. The data was analyzed, T-Test, repeated measurements of one way ANOVA
and chi square test in SPSS 14/Win.
Results: There were no significant differences between two groups with respect to demographic
characteristics. Results show that mean depression scores before treatment in omega-3 group (35.4 +
9.2) was decreased after treatment (17.7+7.0), and there was significant difference (p<0.0005). Mean
depression scores before treatment in placebo group (34.2+3.4) decreased after treatment
(33.6+9.3).there wasn't significant difference (p=0.57). There was significant deference between
reductions of depression scores in two groups.
Conclusion: Use of omega-3 1gr/day for 8 weeks decreases postpartum depression