Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Vitamin D (cholecalciferol) has been investigated for its potential role in supporting or treating postpartum depression (PPD), but the evidence is currently limited and inconclusive. Several observational studies have found an association between low serum vitamin D levels and increased risk of depressive symptoms during the perinatal and postpartum periods. For example, some cohort studies have reported that women with vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy or postpartum are more likely to exhibit symptoms of depression. The biological plausibility is supported by the presence of vitamin D receptors in brain regions involved in mood regulation, and vitamin D’s role in neuroimmune and neuroendocrine pathways. However, most of the evidence is correlational rather than causal.

Intervention trials specifically supplementing vitamin D in women with postpartum depression are few, and their results are mixed. A small number of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have suggested modest improvements in depressive symptoms with vitamin D supplementation, but these studies often have methodological limitations, such as small sample sizes, short durations, or lack of blinding. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses generally conclude that while low vitamin D is associated with increased risk of depressive symptoms, there is insufficient high-quality evidence to recommend vitamin D supplementation as a primary treatment for postpartum depression at this time.

In summary, while there is a scientific rationale for investigating vitamin D in PPD and some early evidence of benefit, robust clinical evidence is lacking and more large-scale, well-designed RCTs are needed.

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