%0 Journal Article
%T An Exploratory Study of Postpartum Depression and Vitamin D
%J Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association
%D 2010
%A Murphy, P. K.
%A Mueller, M.
%A Hulsey, T. C.
%A Ebeling, M. D.
%A Wagner, C. L.
%V 16
%N 3
%P 170-177
%X BACKGROUND: Low levels of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D), a reliable measurement of vitamin D, have been implicated in several mood disorders. To date, studies exploring the relationship between vitamin D and postpartum depression are absent from the literature. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether a relationship exists between symptoms associated with postpartum depression and vitamin D levels and to determine if serum 25(OH) D levels can predict the incidence of symptoms associated with postpartum depression. STUDY DESIGN: An exploratory, descriptive study using a convenience sample of 97 postpartum women attending seven monthly visits. Women provided serum 25(OH)D samples and completed the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS) at each visit. RESULTS: A significant relationship over time was found between low 25(OH)D levels and high EPDS scores, indicative of postpartum depression. CONCLUSIONS: Future rigorous studies investigating vitamin D and postpartum depression are warranted with larger sample sizes using confirmatory methods to diagnose postpartum depression.<p />
%G 
%I SAGE Publishing
%@ 1078-3903
%U http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1078390310370476