Relationship of Zinc and Magnesium Serum Levels with Postpartum Depression in Tabriz-Iran

OBJECTIVE: According to the World Health Organization, depression will be the second prevalent problem after ischemic heart diseases by the year 2020. Postpartum depression (PPD) as a major depressive episode has devastating impacts on the health of mother, newborn, infant, and even the whole family. This study was conducted to investigate the relationship of zinc and magnesium serum levels with PPD, as one of the commonly assumed causes of depression.

METHODS: This cross-sectional study was done on 122 postpartum women aged 18 years and more in two educational hospitals and one non-educational hospital in Tabriz-Iran, 2015. The eligible women were selected using convenience sampling method. Then, the demographic characteristics questionnaire and Edinburgh Depression Scale were completed by participants, and 5cc of blood sample was drawn from each participant. For data analysis, logistic regression test was used.

RESULTS: The mean score of depression scale was 8.0 (SD: 4.7), meaning that 18.9% of mothers were depressed. Results indicated a significant inverse correlation between Edinburgh depression score and magnesium serum level (p= 0.001). However, there was no statistically significant relationship between the zinc serum level and Edinburgh depression score (p=0.831), in so far as based on logistic regression analysis, increased magnesium serum level decreased the odds of depression [Odds ratio: 0.05; CI 95%: 0.01 to 0.29].

CONCLUSIONS: In this study, there was a significant inverse relationship between magnesium serum level and Edinburgh depression score