title: An exploratory study of postpartum depression and vitamin d.
abstract: 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.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  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.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA, murphypa@musc.edu.
authors.forename: Pamela K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mueller
authors.forename: Thomas C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Hulsey
authors.forename: Myla D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Ebeling
authors.forename: Carol L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Wagner