The relationship between nutrition, inflammation and depression in pregnancy and following birth

The relationship between nutrition, increased inflammation and depression in pregnancy and post-partum: assessment of depression scores, inflammatory cytokines and omega-3 fatty acids

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Observational

Source

ISRCTN

Registry ID

ISRCTN02355244

Enrollment

100

Registered

2008-09-30

Start date

2008-11-03

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2020-08-31

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Maternal stress and depression Mental and Behavioural Disorders Other maternal diseases classifiable elsewhere but complicating pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium

Interventions

This is an observational prospective longitudinal (from first trimester of pregnancy to 6 months post-partum) cohort study, where the data concerning the condition are assembled and observed prior to

Postnatal Risk Questionnaire [PNRQ]) 2. Assessment of perinatal psychological stress and depression (Edinburgh Depression Scale/Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale [EDS/EPDS]

Hospital and Anxiety Depression Scale [HADS]) 3. Assessment of dietary omega-3 and omega-6 FAs (Scottish Collaborative Group Food Frequency Questionnaire [SCGFFQ]) 4. A

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

Female

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: 1. Pregnancy and post-partum 2. Age 18 - 45 years 3. Healthy volunteers 4. Patient under Grampian Healthcare

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: 1. Medical conditions (including obstetric complications) or currently taking medication affecting the immune, endocrine (thyroid dysfunction, diabetes), metabolic, hepatic, renal, and gastrointestinal systems; coagulation disorders and anaemia 2. A history of psychiatric disorders other than depression (mania/hypomania, psychosis, active suicidal ideation, schizophrenia, eating disorders not associated with depression, personality disorders, epilepsy) 3. Taking anti-depressant medication or other remedies for depression (St Johns Wort) 4. A history of alcohol or drug abuse, and tobacco use 5. Assisted conception 6. Taking supplementary fish oils or flax seed 8. Spontaneous miscarriage and termination of pregnancy

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
1. Differences in depression scores, inflammatory cytokines and CRP concentrations and omega-3 FA status between women at high-risk (a history of psycho-social risk factors associated with perinatal depression) and low-risk of depression 2. Correlations between omega-6 to omega-3 FA ratio, inflammatory cytokines and CRP concentrations and depression scores Time points: 1. Baseline (13 weeks gestation) 2. 24 weeks gestation 3. 34 weeks gestation 4. 36 hours post-delivery 5. 6 weeks post-partum 6. 12 weeks post-partum 7. 24 weeks post-partum	—

Measure

Time frame

1. Differences in depression scores, inflammatory cytokines and CRP concentrations and omega-3 FA status between women at high-risk (a history of psycho-social risk factors associated with perinatal depression) and low-risk of depression 2. Correlations between omega-6 to omega-3 FA ratio, inflammatory cytokines and CRP concentrations and depression scores Time points: 1. Baseline (13 weeks gestation) 2. 24 weeks gestation 3. 34 weeks gestation 4. 36 hours post-delivery 5. 6 weeks post-partum 6. 12 weeks post-partum 7. 24 weeks post-partum

—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
1. Incidence of depression in women at high-risk of depression (a history of psycho-social risk factors associated with perinatal depression) and low-risk of depression (measured by the ANRQ and PNRQ) (the ANRQ is used only at baseline; the PNRQ is used only at 36 hours post-delivery) 2. Comparison of depression scores measured by the EDP/EPDS and the HADS 3. Comparison of omega-3 and omega-6 FA intakes measured by the SCGFFQ and erythrocyte membrane content Time points: 1. Baseline (13 weeks gestation) 2. 24 weeks gestation 3. 34 weeks gestation 4. 36 hours post-delivery 5. 6 weeks post-partum 6. 12 weeks post-partum 7. 24 weeks post-partum	—

Measure

Time frame

1. Incidence of depression in women at high-risk of depression (a history of psycho-social risk factors associated with perinatal depression) and low-risk of depression (measured by the ANRQ and PNRQ) (the ANRQ is used only at baseline; the PNRQ is used only at 36 hours post-delivery) 2. Comparison of depression scores measured by the EDP/EPDS and the HADS 3. Comparison of omega-3 and omega-6 FA intakes measured by the SCGFFQ and erythrocyte membrane content Time points: 1. Baseline (13 weeks gestation) 2. 24 weeks gestation 3. 34 weeks gestation 4. 36 hours post-delivery 5. 6 weeks post-partum 6. 12 weeks post-partum 7. 24 weeks post-partum

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Countries

United Kingdom

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ISRCTN (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026