International Journal of Women's Health (Mar 2020)

The Association Between Pre-Pregnancy Body Mass Index, Perinatal Depression and Maternal Vitamin D Status: Findings from an Australian Cohort Study

  • Jani R,
  • Knight-Agarwal CR,
  • Bloom M,
  • Takito MY

Journal volume & issue
Vol. Volume 12
pp. 213 – 219

Abstract

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Rati Jani,1 Catherine R Knight-Agarwal,1 Michael Bloom,2 Monica Yuri Takito3 1The University of Canberra, School of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Canberra, ACT, Australia; 2Northern Sydney Local Area Health District, Sydney, NSW, Australia; 3School of Physical Education and Sport, The University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, BrazilCorrespondence: Rati JaniThe University of Canberra, School of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Canberra, ACT, AustraliaTel +61 407806663Fax +61 2 6201 5040Email [email protected]: This study aimed to assess the relationship between early-pregnancy Body Mass Index (BMI), perinatal depression risk and maternal vitamin D status.Patients and Methods: A retrospective cohort study from 2013 to 2017 was undertaken involving 16,528 birth events in the Australian Capital Territory. Multivariate binary logistic regression was conducted using the forced entry method. Mediation of the association between maternal early-pregnancy BMI and perinatal depression risk by vitamin D status was also tested.Results: Adjusted logistic regression models found that high maternal early-pregnancy BMI was associated with increased risk of developing perinatal depression (AOR 1.421; 95% CI, 1.191, 1.696) as well as increased odds of being vitamin D deficient (AOR 1.950; 95% CI; 1.735, 2.191). In comparison to women with low perinatal depression risk, women with high perinatal depression risk had increased odds of being vitamin D deficient (AOR 1.321; 95% CI, 1.105, 1.579). Maternal early-pregnancy BMI was a weak significant predictor of perinatal depression risk after including vitamin D as a mediator, consistent with partial mediation, Path C: B=0.016 (95% CI 1.003, 1.030), p= 0.02. Path C´: B=0.014 (95% CI 1.001, 1.028), p= 0.04.Conclusion: In line with current Australian recommendations, women with high early-pregnancy BMI should be screened for both perinatal depression risk and vitamin D deficiency, with referral to relevant support services when indicated.Keywords: overweight, obesity, pregnancy nutrition, depression

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