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Brief Report
Omega-3 fatty acids for the prevention of postpartum depression: Negative data from a preliminary, open-label pilot study
Article first published online: 12 FEB 2004
DOI: 10.1002/da.10148
© 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
1520-6394/asset/cover.gif?v=1&s=e4fea6962f8574c9001467fc238f1177405ded96 "Depression and Anxiety")
Additional Information
How to Cite
Marangell, L. B., Martinez, J. M., Zboyan, H. A., Chong., H. and Puryear, L. J. (2004), Omega-3 fatty acids for the prevention of postpartum depression: Negative data from a preliminary, open-label pilot study. Depress. Anxiety, 19: 20–23. doi: 10.1002/da.10148
Publication History
- Issue published online: 12 FEB 2004
- Article first published online: 12 FEB 2004
- Manuscript Accepted: 29 SEP 2003
- Manuscript Received: 15 FEB 2003
- Abstract
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- omega-3 fatty acids;
- eicosapentaenoic acid;
- docosahexaenoic acid;
- postpartum depression;
- fish oil
Abstract
Based on the putative relationship between depleted omega-3 fatty acids and postpartum depression, we initiated an open-label pilot study of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation with the aim of preventing postpartum depression. Euthymic pregnant females with a past history of depression in the postpartum period were started on 2,960mg of fish oil (1.4:1 eicosapentaenoic acid:docosahexaenoic acid) per day between the 34th to 36th week of pregnancy and assessed through 12 weeks postpartum. Four of seven participants had a depressive episode during the study period. No participants withdrew from the study due to adverse events. This preliminary, small, open-label pilot study failed to show promising results for the use of omega-3 fatty acid monotherapy beginning at 34 to 36 weeks gestation for the prevention of postpartum depression in patients with a prior postpartum depression history. Controlled studies are lacking. Depression and Anxiety 19:20–23, 2004. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.