Nutritional Status and Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum: a Cohort Study in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

There is increasing evidence that psychosocial factors may affect health by means of biological effects and changes in behavioral health. Observational studies suggest an association between low levels of one long chain n-3 fatty acids, DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), after pregnancy and the occurrence of postpartum depression (PPD). This is an observational cohort with 4 waves of follow-up and a nested clinical trial with pregnant women residing in the city of Rio de Janeiro. The general objective is to describe the magnitude and identify factors associated to common mental disorders (CMD) during pregnancy and postpartum giving emphasis to maternal nutritional status. Main specific objectives: 1. To evaluate the effect of CMD in the pattern of occurrence of selected maternal and child outcomes (inadequacy of gestational weight gain, postpartum weight retention, low birthweight, small for gestational weight and prematurity), considering the effect of other determinant factors, and 2. To evaluate the effectiveness of daily omega-3 doses (fish oil) in preventing PPD.