The effect of maternal omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation on perinatal depression: A Systematic review and Meta-analysis

Abstract

Background: Treatment, particularly pharmacological interventions, remains challenging for perinatal depression – given the effects may be detrimental to the health of the infant. Abnormal levels of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are reported to be associated with perinatal depression. During the perinatal period, omega-3 PUFAs decreases profoundly as a result of preferential transfer to the fetus; and may precipitate the onset of depression. While omega-3 PUFAs supplementation has shown benefits for major depression, it remains unclear whether the effects are similar for perinatal depression. Aims: To investigate the efficacy of maternal omega-3 supplementation for the treatment of antenatal and postpartum depression. Methods: Ten studies, comprising of 754 participants were identified from a comprehensive search of six electronic databases: Cochrane, Embase, PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Human randomized controlled trials that supplemented maternal diet with omega-3 PUFAs during pregnancy or postpartum, and assessed depression were included. Meta-analytic techniques were used to examine the effect of omega-3 PUFAs on depressive symptoms. Trial quality and methodological heterogeneity were also assessed. Results: Meta-analysis demonstrated no significant benefits of omega-3 supplementation compared to placebo, with a pooled effect size (Hedge’s g) of -0.16 (95%CI [-0.42, 0.10], p = .22). Most trials had methodological limitations. Conclusions: The current findings does not conclusively support that omega-3 supplementation may be an effective treatment for perinatal depression. Future high-quality, large-scale research of comparable methodology, are necessary to assess the efficacy of omega-3 supplementation as a therapeutic agent for perinatal depression.