Azizeh Farshbaf-Khalili
Sakineh Mohammad-Alizadeh
Zahra Fardiazar
Ahad Farshbaf-Khalili

Objective: to evaluate the effect of fish oil supplementation on antenatal and postpartum depression.Methods: This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-centre trial. 051 eligible pregnant women aged 01-55 recruited from Feburary 4102 to April 4105 in Tabriz, Iran. Participants randomly assigned to receive either 0111 mg fish oil supplements from 01-41 weeks of gestation to 0month after giving birth or placebo. Subjects completed the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale at enrollment, 41–51 weeks, 55–57 weeks, and at 51-25 days after birth. Primary outcomes were mean depression score at 55-57 weeks and postpartum period. The statistical analysis was intent-to-treat.Results: A total of 051 women were included, and none was lost to follow up. There were significant differences between groups in depression mean score (adjusted MD = -0.5; [%59 CI -4.5 to -1.15]) as well as positive screening at 55-57 (adjusted OR = 1.25; [%5 % CI 1.44 to 1.12]). The mean score of depression during pregnancy and postpartum significantly decreased within the fish oil group (p<1.15) but it was not significant in the placebo group.Conclusions: it seems that women especially in low to middle income countries may benefit from daily fish oil supplements during pregnancy. Further studies are required to confirm this.

fish oil, antenatal depression, postpartum depression, developing countries