The Possible Effects of Zinc Supplementation on Postpartum Depression and Anemia

Background and Objectives: The effects of postpartum zinc supplementation are still unclear. Our purpose in this study is to investigate the association between Zn supplementation and postpartum depression, defined by an Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) score >= 9, and the effect on the hematological status of postpartum women. Materials and Methods: We first investigated whether zinc supplementation affected the perioperative levels of zinc, hemoglobin, and hematocrit in 197 cases who underwent cesarean section and had postpartum anemia. Next, logistic regression analyses were performed on 148 eligible cases to determine the association between zinc supplementation and postpartum depression. Results: Postpartum zinc supplementation significantly improved the status of maternal blood zinc levels and reduced the risk of developing postpartum depression (adjusted odds ratio: 0.249; 95% confidence interval: 0.062-0.988; p = 0.048). Iron supplementation is a standard and effective strategy for treating anemia; however, the combination of oral iron plus zinc supplementation resulted in slightly significant negative effects on postpartum hemoglobin and hematocrit compared to oral iron supplementation only. Conclusions: Postpartum zinc supplementation causes a significant positive effect on postpartum depression (EPDS score >= 9). Zinc supplementation had a negative but transient influence on the hematological status in women with postpartum anemia treated with oral iron supplementation; however, the differences were not clinically significant. Thus, we did not regard it as an adverse effect to be considered, and postpartum zinc supplementation may be viewed as beneficial in postpartum women.