Effect of antenatal omega-3 supplementation on maternal depressive symptoms from pregnancy to 6 months postpartum: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial

ABSTRACT

Objective: Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial was conducted with sixty pregnant women to evaluate the effect of antenatal omega-3 supplementation on maternal depressive symptoms from pregnancy to 6 months postpartum. Methods: Participants with gestational age between 22 and 24 weeks were randomized in placebo (olive oil; n = 30) or omega-3 (fish oil; n = 30) groups and supplemented until childbirth. Fish oil capsules provided 1440 mg/day of docosahexaenoic acid. Depressive symptoms were evaluated during the gestational period: (G1) 22–24 weeks; (G2) 26–28 weeks; (G3) 30–32 weeks; (G4) 34–36 weeks; and postpartum: (P1) second week; (P2) first month; (P3) fourth month; and (P4) sixth month, using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Intention-to-treat and per-protocol analyses were performed using Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE). Results: Comparison between groups showed no differences in the EPDS score at any time during pregnancy or postpartum, in both intention-to-treat and per-protocol analysis (p > 0.05). Both groups presented a reduction in the EPDS score over time. According to intention-to-treat analysis, when comparing to the baseline, the placebo group showed a reduction in the EPDS score at P1 and P4, while the omega-3 group showed a reduction at all times from G4 to P4. In per-protocol analysis, the placebo group showed a reduction in the EPDS score at P3, while the omega-3 group showed a reduction at all times from G2 to P4. Conclusions: The supplementation with omega-3 did not promote significant differences between groups. However, an earlier reduction in the EPDS score was observed in the omega-3 group, which may indicate a benefit of antenatal omega-3 supplementation.

KEYWORDS:

• Omega-3
• depressive symptoms
• pregnancy
• postpartum period
• maternal nutrition
• randomized controlled trial

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the entire antenatal care team of Instituto Jenny de Andrade Faria from Hospital das Clínicas of Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais for their support and partnership. This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee under number 87705018.0.0000.5149 and registered by the Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (ReBec) under number U1111-1215-7952 (http://www.ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg / RBR-6gbzw6/). All participants signed a consent form after receiving the necessary information and expressed spontaneous interest to participate in the trial.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

Due to the nature of this research, participants of this study did not agree for their data to be shared publicly, so supporting data is not available.

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq).

Notes on contributors

Taciana Maia de Sousa

Taciana Maia de Sousa is graduated in Nutrition and Ph.D in Health Science by the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais.

Luana Caroline dos Santos

Luana Caroline dos Santos is graduated in Nutrition and Ph.D in Public Health by the Universidade de São Paulo, and is currently an Associated Professor of Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais.