Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Status During Pregnancy and Maternal Mental Health in Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period: Results From the GUSTO Study

Objective: Studies have demonstrated a relationship between lower omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LC-PUFA) status and anxiety and depression. It is uncertain whether similar associations occur in pregnant women, when anxiety and depression could have long-term effects on the offspring. We examined the associations between plasma LC-PUFA status during pregnancy and perinatal mental health. Method: At 26-28 weeks' gestation, plasma LC-PUFAs were measured in mothers of the Growing Up in Singapore Toward healthy Outcomes (GUSTO) mother-offspring cohort study, who were recruited between June 2009 and September 2010. Maternal symptoms of anxiety and depression were assessed with the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) during the same period and at 3 months' postpartum. The STAI-state subscale was used as a continuous measure of current anxiety, while EPDS scores >= 15 during pregnancy or >= 13 postpartum were indicative of symptoms of probable depression. Results: In adjusted regression analyses (n = 698), lower plasma total omega-3 PUFA concentrations (beta = -6.49 STAI-state subscale scores/unit increase of omega-3 fatty acid; 95% CI, -11.90 to -1.08) and higher plasma omega-6: omega-3 PUFA ratios (beta = 6.58 scores/unit increase of fatty acid ratio; 95% CI, 1.19 to 12.66), specifically higher arachidonic acid (AA): docosahexaenoic acid, AA: eicosapentaenoic acid, and AA: docosapentaenoic acid ratios, were associated with increased antenatal anxiety (P < .05 for all), but not postpartum anxiety. There was no association between plasma PUFAs and perinatal probable depression. Conclusions: No association was found with probable depression in pregnancy or postpartum. Lower plasma omega-3 fatty acids and higher omega-6: omega-3 fatty acid ratios were associated with higher antenatal anxiety, but not postpartum anxiety. Replication in other studies is needed to confirm the findings and determine the direction of causality.