Randomized dose-ranging pilot trial of omega-3 fatty acids for postpartum depression

  1. M. P. Freeman1,2,
  2. J. R. Hibbeln3,
  3. K. L. Wisner4,
  4. B. H. Brumbach5,
  5. M. Watchman1,2,
  6. A. J. Gelenberg2

Article first published online: 21 OCT 2005

DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0447.2005.00660.x

Issue

Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica

Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica

Volume 113, Issue 1, pages 31–35, January 2006

Additional Information

How to Cite

Freeman, M. P., Hibbeln, J. R., Wisner, K. L., Brumbach, B. H., Watchman, M. and Gelenberg, A. J. (2006), Randomized dose-ranging pilot trial of omega-3 fatty acids for postpartum depression. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 113: 31–35. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0447.2005.00660.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Women's Mental Health Program, Departments of Psychiatry, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Nutritional Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson

  2. 2

    Department of Psychiatry, University of Arizona College of Medicine

  3. 3

    National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

  4. 4

    Department of Psychiatry, Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, and Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

  5. 5

    Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, AZ, USA

*Marlene P Freeman, Women's Mental Health Program, Departments of Psychiatry, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Nutritional Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine, 1501 N. Campbell Avenue, PO Box 245002, Tucson, AZ 85724-5002, USA. E-mail: marlenef@email.arizona.edu

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 21 OCT 2005
  2. Article first published online: 21 OCT 2005
  3. Accepted for publication September 6, 2005

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Keywords:

  • postpartum period;
  • depression;
  • omega-3 fatty acids

Objective:  Postpartum depression (PPD) affects 10–15% of mothers. Omega-3 fatty acids are an intriguing potential treatment for PPD.

Method:  The efficacy of omega-3 fatty acids for PPD was assessed in an 8-week dose-ranging trial. Subjects were randomized to 0.5 g/day (n = 6), 1.4 g/day (n = 3), or 2.8 g/day (n = 7).

Results:  Across groups, pretreatment Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) mean scores were 18.1 and 19.1 respectively; post-treatment mean scores were 9.3 and 10.0. Percent decreases on the EPDS and HRSD were 51.5% and 48.8%, respectively; changes from baseline were significant within each group and when combining groups. Groups did not significantly differ in pre- or post-test scores, or change in scores. The treatment was well tolerated.

Conclusion:  This study was limited by small sample size and lack of placebo group. However, these results support further study of omega-3 fatty acids as a treatment for PPD.

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