Vitamin D Level, Thyroid Function, and Maternal Depression in Late Pregnancy

Background: Based on a possible association between thyroid function or serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration and perinatal psychological symptoms, this study examined the potential link between antenatal depression and thyroid function or vitamin D level in the population of Shiraz city. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on mothers, who were under prenatal care at a teaching hospital in Shiraz, during year 2015. Evaluation of depression was performed by the Edinburgh postnatal depression scale (EPDS). Eligible pregnant females aged ≥ 18 and at 26 to 28 weeks of gestation were passed to the laboratory to offer a blood sample to determine serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, TSH, FT4, and TPOAb. Finally, data from 184 pregnant females was analyzed. Results: The mean depression score was 9.19 ± 4.44, with a median value of 9.50, and mode value of 13. Overall, 52 mothers (28.3%) had depression (depression score > 12). The mothers with and without depression were not different in relation to 25hydroxyvitamin D, TSH, FT4, and TPOAb levels. No association was established between thyroid function and antenatal depression with a binary logistic regression analysis. Also, vitamin D deficient mothers did not have more chance of being depressed. No correlation was detected between thyroid function and vitamin D levels. Conclusions: Based on the current findings, no association was observed between antenatal depression and thyroid function or vitamin D deficiency.