A randomized controlled trial of vitamin D supplementation on perinatal depression: in Iranian pregnant mothers

Study answer

What this study found

Vitamin D3 supplementation was associated with lower perinatal depression scores than placebo and was generally well tolerated. Baseline EPDS scores were similar between groups (8.44 ± 3.89 vs 8.64 ± 3.81; p=0.747), but at 38-40 weeks gestation the vitamin D group scored lower (6.17 ± 3.47 vs 7.77 ± 3.92; p=0.01). Benefits persisted postpartum at 4 weeks (4.59 ± 3.29 vs 7.36 ± 4.27; p<0.001) and 8 weeks (4.19 ± 3.76 vs 7.18 ± 3.99; p<0.001). Serum 25(OH)D at delivery was also higher with vitamin D3 (17.46 ± 10.09 ng/mL vs 12.07 ± 5.98 ng/mL; p=0.001).

Study & population

Randomized, placebo-controlled trial in pregnant women receiving prenatal care at Hafez hospital in Shiraz, Iran.

Intervention

Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) was given orally at 2000 IU daily, as two 1000 IU pills, from 26 to 28 weeks of gestation until childbirth.

Key limitation

Interpretation is limited by a single-center design, a relatively small sample, and incomplete outcome follow-up (136 participants completed EPDS assessments across both groups).

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Original abstract