Role of omega-3 fatty acids on Postpartum depression

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. This study was a double-blind randomized placebo controlled trial, which was done on 120 women with postpartum depression, who had including criterias. 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. 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), 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 wasnt significant difference (p=0.57). There was significant deference between reductions of depression scores in two groups. Use of omega-3 1gr/day for 8 weeks improves postpartum depression.